NEW YORK, March 27 (Kyodo) -- Ford Motor Co. is planning to shut down its auto plant in Genk, Belgium, for five days starting April 4, in an effort to conserve auto parts in the wake of the earthquake in Japan, the Wall Street Journal reported Saturday.
Citing the U.S. automaker's spokesman, the report also said the carmaker has urged its sales outlets to stop taking orders for new cars in certain colors due to dwindling supply of pigment in Japan.
According to the report, Ford's Genk plant had been scheduled to be idled for five days in May, but the company moved up the stoppage to ensure parts availability going forward.
But the spokesman said that the plant's April-June quarter production volume will not be affected by the move.
Concern over a shortage of components for manufacturers is spreading globally as many Japanese companies have been forced to suspend production in the aftermath of the catastrophic March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
Among the U.S. makers, General Motors Co. suspended operations at a plant in Louisiana. But the carmaker later said it will resume operation of the plant Monday as parts are now procurable.
Citing the U.S. automaker's spokesman, the report also said the carmaker has urged its sales outlets to stop taking orders for new cars in certain colors due to dwindling supply of pigment in Japan.
According to the report, Ford's Genk plant had been scheduled to be idled for five days in May, but the company moved up the stoppage to ensure parts availability going forward.
But the spokesman said that the plant's April-June quarter production volume will not be affected by the move.
Concern over a shortage of components for manufacturers is spreading globally as many Japanese companies have been forced to suspend production in the aftermath of the catastrophic March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
Among the U.S. makers, General Motors Co. suspended operations at a plant in Louisiana. But the carmaker later said it will resume operation of the plant Monday as parts are now procurable.
