Ford and General Motors say they are running normally again following this week’s exceptionally severe winter weather that saw a massive storm sweep through Michigan and South Canada.
GM was operating short shifts at its St Thomas and Oakville plants – although Chicago ran without problems – as the plunging mercury hampered truck delivery of parts.
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“Things have improved dramatically,” a GM spokesman in the US told just-auto. “Everything is up and running.”
The spokesman added no decision had yet been made as to what will be made up in production.
In common with northern Europe, Michigan and South Canada has endured freezing temperatures of late, leading to automakers sending some workers home as the gauge plummeted to -13C.
Ford is also reporting its operations are functioning normally following the re-opening of the major Blue Water bridge linking Canada to the US.
“It [weather] was all over the map – some plants ran partial and full shifts – it was really dependent on what managed to trickle through,” a Ford spokesman in the US told just-auto.
“The Ohio assembly had to send people home early on their first shift, but the truck came through and they were able to run a full shift on that particular day [Wednesday].
Two motorways across Canada – the 401 and 402 – are now operating fully ensuring smooth parts delivery.
“The flow of parts is back to normal,” said the Ford spokesman. “We are not expecting any major blasts of winter that will disrupt things.”
