Ford idles Kentucky plant due to shortages
Ford moves up the date of plant's temporary shutdown because of shortages caused by ongoing problems in Japan as well as declining sales of Ford trucks and large SUVs.
Matt York/AP
DETROIT
Ford Motor Co. is closing its Louisville, Ken., truck plant this week because of potential supply disruptions stemming from the earthquake in Japan, and because demand is down for the vehicles.
The Kentucky plant makes the F-250 and F-350 heavy duty pickup trucks, and the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator large SUVs.
The car maker had already planned to idle production at the plant later this quarter, said George Pipas, Ford'smanager of sales analysis. But the company decided to shut the plant earlier than scheduled "to address a short supply of components," he said.
Slowing demand for full-sized trucks also factored into the decision, Pipas said.