Ford closes plant in Germany for 1 month as global chip shortage worsens

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Ford has ordered a month-long production halt at one of its plants in Germany, the latest sign that a global shortage of computer chips is putting carmakers under increasing pressure and threatening their recovery from the pandemic.

The US automaker said it would idle its factory in Saarlouis, Germany, from Monday until February 19 because of the chip shortage and weak demand. The plant makes Ford's most popular car in Europe, the Focus, and employs around 5,000 workers.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and adjusting production schedules to minimize the effect on our employees, suppliers, customers and dealers across Europe," said a Ford spokesman. "At this time, we do not anticipate any similar actions at our other European facilities."

Ford was forced to close a SUV plant in Louisville, Kentucky, last week because of the shortage of semiconductors. But the shutdown in Germany suggests the problem, which is affecting carmakers around the world, could get worse before it gets better.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/news/ford-closes-plant-in-germany-for-1-month-as-global-chip-shortage-worsens/ar-BB1cR70B?li=BBnbfcN&ocid=DELLDHP

Aren't these all made in China now?

[Wounded Bear]

1. Not all are made in China, I don't believe, but...

some of the elements used in making semiconductor chips are mined in China, and they have about a 60% share or higher on the mining and production of them.

There are semiconductor factories around the world in various places, like SE Asia and Latin America and Africa where labor is cheap. But a lot of the rare earth minerals and metals needed to make the chips are mined heavily in China and they recently tightened some production quotas, IIRC.