Chrysler Pacifica minivan plant to shut for a month over global computer chip shortage

The global computer chip shortage slamming the auto industry will shutter Ontario’s Windsor Assembly Plant, which has more than 4,500 workers, for a month, according to the union representing employees there, reports the Detroit Free Press, a USA TODAY Network publication.The union, in a Facebook post Thursday, said the plant, which produces the Chrysler Pacifica minivan, would shut down beginning Monday and urged workers to take direction from their supervisor. The plant is part of Stellantis, the company formed earlier this year from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Peugeot-maker PSA Group.”(The) union has received word that the shortage of microchips crippling almost every auto company is now impacting us here at the Windsor Assembly Plant. Because of the shortage, our plant will be down for the next four weeks starting on Monday, March 29,” according to the union’s post.Messages seeking comment were sent to Stellantis representatives.A dearth of semiconductor chip production globally is cramping new-vehicle production, limiting the availability of certain models in the coming months and threatening to raise used-car prices as buyers hunt for alternatives.Could these classics return? Could these long-gone vehicles make a comeback? Chevrolet, Cadillac, Dodge classic cars offer opportunity#VanLife takes off: Americans convert vans for a life on the road during COVIDThe announcement from Windsor follows news earlier in the week that a different Stellantis plant near Detroit, Warren Truck Assembly, is also being affected by the chip shortage. Ram 1500 Classics, the older version of the popular pickup, are being held at Warren and at the Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant in Mexico unfinished until parts become available.The newer version of the Ram 1500 is produced at Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan.A decision to cut the Pacific minivan production while maintaining production at Sterling Heights could be seen as the company trying to preserve for as long as possible its profitable truck sales.The semiconductor shortage is “a very big hit to our business plan,” but Stellantis is not alone in its struggles, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has said.Ford and General Motors have also been hit hard, as have other global automakers.Because today’s vehicles use so much technology, microchips have become increasingly important, and any sustained disruption has wide-ranging consequences for the auto industry.Follow Eric D. Lawrence on Twitter: @_ericdlawrence. 


Source link