The Louisville plant employs 3,800 workers per hour, who will receive about 75% of their normal salary during the one-week break. It brings together the Ford Escape and the Lincoln version of this SUV, the Corsair.
“The global shortage of semiconductors presents challenges and alterations of production, including the global automotive industry Ford (F), which could have a significant effect on jobs and the economy given the importance of car manufacturing, “he said. Ford (F) in a statement.
Automakers reduced orders for computer chips early last year, when the pandemic slowed car sales and production due to the temporary closure of plants.
When vehicle sales rebounded earlier than expected, it left the industry struggling with a shortage of chips. This was exacerbated by rising demand for laptops during the time of his stay at home, and the electronics and computer industries got excess chip supplies, said Kristin Dziczek, vice president of research from the Center for Automotive Research, a Michigan tank thinking.
“It’s temporary, but it won’t be in the short term,” he said. The problems are likely to last for about the first three months or so of the year. We expect supplies to return to normal in the second quarter.
The average car has between 50 and 150 chips, he said. And all the chips are needed to proceed with the assembly of the cars.
The problem doesn’t just affect U.S. car factories: plants in Europe and Asia also face a lack of chips.