Transport Topics (March 29, 2021)
Truck makers say vehicle production is at risk as the demand for computer chips exceeds supply in a widening environment of supply chain disruptions. The semiconductor shortage arose when the demand for electronics increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and was exacerbated by a fire at a chip-making factory in Japan that has forced it to close for several weeks. Volvo is implementing stop days that may last from two to four weeks at its plants and Mack expects its plant in Pennsylvania to be affected. Daimler is switching to revolving downtime at its plant in North Carolina. Navistar is monitoring the situation and Paccar offered no comment.