General Motors announced it will cease production at its full-size truck factory in Indiana during the next two weeks due of the worldwide microprocessor shortage.
Fort Wayne Assembly, which makes the light-duty Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks, will take downtime from April 4 to April 15, GM spokesman Dan Flores said Friday.
“Overall, we have observed improved stability in semiconductor supply through the first quarter compared to last year as a whole. This has resulted into progress in our production and delivery throughout the first three months of the year,” Flores added. “However, there is still uncertainty and unpredictability in the semiconductor supply chain, and we are actively working with our suppliers to avoid possible concerns moving ahead.”
GM’s other light-duty pickup facility in Silao, Mexico, will continue to construct the Silverados and Sierras while Fort Wayne is idled.
The production halt at Fort Wayne is GM’s first chip-related downtime at a full-size truck factory since August. All of GM’s assembly factories in North America have been running regular production since Nov. 1. Fairfax Assembly in Kansas and Ramos Arizpe Assembly in Mexico introduced second shifts in January.
Nearly 295,000 cars have been reduced from North America manufacturing plans this year due of chip shortages, AutoForecast Solutions predicts. The business forecasts that 457,800 automobiles will be dropped from North America manufacturing plans this year.