Ford extends closure at Chicago assembly plant

Ford’s Chicago assembly plant, 12600 S. Torrence Ave., will be closed for two additional weeks as the company deals with a shortage of microchips.

The company said Wednesday the plant, which closed this week, will also be shut the weeks of April 19 and 26. About 5,800 people work there to build the Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator and Police Interceptor SUV.

A global shortage of microchips that run the electronic systems has forced all automakers to curtail production. A fire at a chip supplier in Japan has worsened the situation, Ford said.

The company ordered similar shutdowns for the last two weeks in April at plants in Flat Rock, Michigan, and Kansas City, Missouri. Flat Rock produces the Ford Mustang and Kansas City turns out the F-150 pickup.

Ford also said its truck plant in Louisville will be closed the weeks of April 26 and May 3 and will have reduced production for most of May. Certain production lines at a plant for medium- and super-duty trucks in Avon Lake, Ohio will be idle the weeks of April 19 and 26.