Ford was forced to pause production of the 2024 F-150 in Michigan and Missouri last month in a move that left some 9,700 United Auto Workers-represented employees briefly without work.
News of the shutdowns only recently emerged. Ford spokeswoman Jessica Enoch told the Detroit Free Press that production of the Dearborn Truck Plant was paused between January 25 and January 31 and that it temporarily laid off 5,200 workers between these dates. In addition, the Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri, was down from January 25 through to February 1 in a move that impacted 4,500 employees at the site.
Enoch confirmed that the production pause was done due to a supplier parts issue but did not specify the supplier nor the part.
“Production has resumed after being paused temporarily because of a supplier parts concern,” Enoch told the Detroit Free Press. “We are vigilant about ensuring that the vehicles our customers receive are built with the quality they expect and we are taking appropriate actions to deliver on that commitment.”
It wasn’t just the combustion-powered model that was impacted by the recall as Ford also had to pause production of the F-150 Lightning between January 25 – January 31 because the paint shop at the Dearborn Truck Plant is responsible for both the ICE and electric F-150s.
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This is not the first time in recent months that production of the F-150 Lightning has been altered. In January, Ford cut production due to “slower-than-expected sales” and a recent work schedule sent to factory workers shows production of it will move to a two-shift pattern with one crew on rolling layoffs through February and March. The site will move to a single shift on April 1.
Ford unveiled the 2024 F-150 in September last year as a mid-cycle refresh. Various design changes have been made to the ever-popular pickup truck and some new features are also found inside the cabin, including a 12-inch touchscreen, a head-up display, and Ford’s latest BlueCruise 1.2 Level 2 advanced driver assistance system.
