Ford: European auto production hit by chip shortage and Ukraine conflict

Ford Motor said on Monday vehicle production and orders in Europe have been hit by the ongoing worldwide semiconductor shortage and the military conflict in Ukraine.

The automaker said it will idle its German plants in Saarlouis and Cologne, largely because of the global chip shortage. This has also led the automaker to stop taking new orders for the S-Max and Galaxy vehicles made in Valencia, Spain.

The automaker said it has orders for both products that take it beyond September and that current orders will be fulfilled.

The military conflict between Russia and Ukraine also has caused parts shortages at a Volkswagen plant in Poland that makes Ford’s Tourneo Connect vehicle, leading to a temporary halt of production.

“We continue to watch over the situation on a daily basis in conjunction with our partners at VW and will have more to say on this at a later date,” Ford said.