Ford Motor Company is temporarily halting operations at its Kentucky Truck Plant, affecting the production of its three-row SUVs, the Expedition and Lincoln Navigator. This decision is in response to supply chain disruptions stemming from a fire at an aluminum supplier facility.
Impact of the Aluminum Supplier Fire
On September 16, 2025, a fire broke out at Novelis’ plant in Oswego, New York. This facility produces automotive-grade aluminum crucial for Ford and other manufacturers. According to reports, the fire impacted only part of the plant, yet it will remain out of service until the first quarter of fiscal 2026.
Production Suspension Details
Ford’s production pause at the Kentucky plant is set to last for one week. A memo from the United Auto Workers, which was shared with The Wall Street Journal, cited aluminum supply issues but did not explicitly link the suspension to the recent fire. This production stoppage underscores the vulnerability of the automobile industry’s supply chain.
Supply Chain Challenges
- The Oswego plant contributes approximately 40% of the aluminum sheet used in the U.S. automotive sector.
- Novelis has activated its global network to find alternative sources for aluminum; however, industry experts expect ongoing disruptions.
- Ford is working closely with Novelis to mitigate the impact of this supply chain issue.
Although Ford has deployed a full team to address these disruptions and is exploring alternative solutions, it has not specified how the fire will affect overall production in detail. The company remains committed to navigating through these challenges as efficiently as possible.
