Ford Has Halted F-Series Truck Production After A Major Supplier Fire

Ford has been forced to pull the plug on production of the F-150 truck, its most profitable model.

A factory fire at one of Ford’s suppliers has halted the supply of instrument panel components and the only option left open is a full line shut-down. Some 4000 workers at the Dearborn Truck Plant will be sent home without pay.

The temporary setback has also stopped production at other Ford plants in Kansas City and Louisville, with thousands more staff apparently going without pay. It’s expected that everything should be back on track by early next week, but we understand there are no guarantees.

Meridian Lightweight Technologies, the supplier affected, is said to be working with Ford to ensure that the Expedition, Explorer and Lincoln Navigator SUVs still receive all the parts they need to roll off the line at normal speed.

Ford sold 73,104 F-Series pickups last month alone, with most being F-150s. Reports say that the firm had around 250,000 trucks ready for sale at dealerships at the end of April, so supply isn’t expected to fall too far behind demand.

European car-makers like BMW and Fiat are also understood to take components from Meridian, and are said to be adjusting their production schedules to account for delays.

Two workers are said to have been hospitalised by the fire, fortunately only with minor injuries.

Sources: CNBC, Automotive Logistics