We warned days ago that if the Ambassador Bridge that connects Windsor, Ontario, with Detroit, were to remain closed until the end of the week, there would be severe consequences for North America's auto industry.
As of Thursday morning, automakers including Toyota, Chrysler Pacifica, Ford, and General Motors halted or limited production at their Canada/U.S. manufacturing plants due to Canadian truckers blocking the busiest international land border crossing between the U.S. and Canada over vaccine mandates.
Ford told AP that it suspended engine production in Windsor while its factory outside Toronto had reduced production.
"We hope this situation is resolved quickly because it could have a widespread impact on all automakers in the U.S. and Canada," the company said.
Chrysler-maker Stellantis is facing an urgent parts shortage at its assembly plant in Windsor, where it had to cut shifts on Tuesday but resumed some production yesterday,
Due to part shortages, General Motors reduced output at its Lansing, Michigan, making SUVs for Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC brands.
Toyota expects to have three manufacturing facilities in Ontario offline for the rest of the week due to part disruptions. The company told Newsweek via email:
"Due to a number of supply chain, severe weather, and COVID-related challenges, Toyota continues to face shortages affecting production at our North American plants, including Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada," the company said in its statement. "Our teams are working diligently to minimize the impact on production. While the situation is fluid and changes frequently, we do not anticipate any impact to employment at this time."...
Taking a look at Ambassador Bridge's live cam into the U.S. (around 0840 ET) shows no truck and car inbound