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Ford Motor Co. announced Monday it is changing the name of one of its components plants in southeast Michigan to reflect the automaker s transition to electrified powertrains.
The Van Dyke Transmission Plant in Sterling Heights will now be known as the Van Dyke Electric Powertrain Center, according to a news release.
The name change reflects the plant s addition of lines dedicated to producing electric motors and transaxles for hybrid and all-electric vehicles, including the forthcoming electric F-150 Lightning pickup truck that Ford unveiled last week.
Van Dyke, which opened in 1968 and employs about 1,050 people, for decades has made suspension components and transmissions for Ford s internal combustion engine vehicles. Within the past 10 years, the plant added transmissions for hybrid vehicles as well.
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The morning of its global debut of the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning, Ford Motor Co. informed workers that eight factories would see additional cuts to production because of the ongoing supply chain disruption.
Ford will be temporarily shutting down both factories that build the best-selling F-150 trucks, as well as the factories that build other popular vehicles, including the Explorer, Police Interceptor and Lincoln Aviator. The global semiconductor shortage continues to affect global automakers as well as other industries, said Kelli Felker, Ford global manufacturing and labor communications manager.
Eight plants idled
The following plants in North America are affected:
Hyundai
Hyundai has claimed the semiconductor shortage has not affected the Korean car firm as significantly as other manufacturers.
“It hasn t had the same impact on us that I have read about at other automakers,” Michael Cole, CEO of Hyundai Europe, told Automotive News Europe. “There has been some loss of capacity, but we are confident we can maintain our volumes. We benefit from very good relationships with all our suppliers; therefore, we have been less affected.”
“We have pretty good cover for the next two months,” Cole said.
Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) previously paused operations at two of its largest production facilities for at least a week due to a shortage of semiconductor chips.
Laid-off Lima Ford workers see delays, hacks and hiccups
By David Trinko - dtrinko@limanews.com
BATH TOWNSHIP A shortage of computer chips and hiccups in the state unemployment system are leaving employees at the Ford Lima Engine Plant feeling frustrated.
Many of the workers have been laid off for the past three weeks, as the global semiconductor shortage kept them from doing their part of the production process. The layoffs lasted longer than originally expected, kicking in unemployment systems asking laid-off workers to look for new jobs.
“It’s been so frustrating,” said Jeff Adams, president of UAW Local 1219, which represents the plant. “We can’t get straight answers from anyone about unemployment.”
Kentucky Truck Plant will be down for another 2 weeks as new production cuts continue Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press
Tesla owner drives cross-country in his all-electric 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E
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Relentless supply chain challenges continue at Ford Motor Co., which has planned major product launches this year amid both a global pandemic and a global parts supply shortage paralyzing the whole auto industry.
Yet again, the Dearborn, Michigan-based company has announced more factory changes to accommodate the lack of access to semiconductor chips that provide the smart technology needed to operate everything from driving safety features and cameras to infotainment systems.