Supply chain disruption involving semiconductor chips is causing Ford Motor Co. to suspend or cut vehicle production at eight factories in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.

The slowdown in auto and truck manufacturing was scheduled to begin on Monday, Feb. 7, according to Reuters.

The automaker warned that the chip shortage could cause a decline in vehicle volume in the current quarter. However, a company spokeswoman said that Ford expected volume to increase significantly in the second half of 2022.

Ford’s fourth-quarter earnings were lower than expected and the company forecasts a slower recovery through 2022 than its rival General Motors.

Read more from Reuters at this link.

Truck Driver Shortage Hurts Supply Chain

Businessinsider.com reported in November that a shortage of about 80,000 truck drivers in the U.S. is causing havoc in the American supply chain.

Truckers said that prolonged periods away from home, coupled with generally low pay, have made it an undesirable job.

“It’s not even a profession, it’s a lifestyle,” Joe Katterman, a trucking instructor in Nebraska, said.

“I have a 3-year-old daughter that I’ve literally watched grow up over video chat,” he said. “I spend more time video chatting with my family than I do actually time with them.”