DETROIT – The global semiconductor shortage and last February’s winter storm combined to force Ford to build its F-150 pickups without some computers.
The vans will remain in the factories “for a few weeks” and will be shipped to dealerships once the computers are available and quality checks will be performed, the company reported on Thursday.
The global lack of semiconductors has also forced Honda and Toyota this week to announce production cuts at some of their North American factories. Similarly, General Motors was forced to build pickups that do not have some of its computers and install them later.
Ford’s move could reduce the inventory of F-Series trucks, America’s best-selling vehicle. Stocks are already low due to high demand and production losses related to last year’s plant closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Ford also announced that it would build the Edge truck without its computers and ship them later, in addition to canceling exchanges Thursday and Friday at an assembly plant in Louisville, Kentucky, where the Ford Escape truck is manufactured.
Car manufacturers say they do not expect the chip deficit to improve before the third quarter of the year. Ford said the shortfall could reduce pre-tax earnings by $ 1 billion to $ 2.5 billion, even if it will offset some of the production lost in the second half.
Volkswagen, Fiat Chrysler (now Stellantis) and Nissan also say they were affected by the shortage and were forced to delay production of some models to maintain operations at other factories.
Industry officials say semiconductor companies diverted production to consumer electronics during the pandemic’s low in car sales last spring. Car manufacturers around the world have been forced to close factories to prevent the virus from spreading. Once they recovered, they did not have enough chips due to the high demand for personal electronics.