US automakers shut plants

New York:
17 September 2001

Ford Motors temporarily shut down several North American assembly plants on Monday because of parts shortages due to travel restrictions, after last Tuesday's attacks on the US, the BBC reported.

As a result, the automaker says, its third quarter earnings will fall short of its previous forecast.

Ford said the parts shortages stems from freight transportation restrictions, particularly in air transport and movement through border crossings.

Daimler-Chrysler has also reported parts shortages and production by General Motors and Honda has been scaled back in Canada.

Three Ford plants will be shut down from Monday and remain closed until 24 September while a fourth will shut for one day.

The automaker said its current production plans for the third quarter now require up to 820,000 vehicles, down almost 120,000 from its previous forecast.