Inbound supply problems are reported to be behind the interruption of Chevrolet Cruze production at GM’s Lordstown facility in Ohio this week. While the company would not disclose the exact reasons behind the shutdown, which began Monday lunchtime, unconfirmed reports in the local press have identified the supply of suspension struts as the cause. The carmaker would only confirm that it was aiming to restart production as quickly as possible.
Output at the plant is usually around 1,200 Cruzes a day on three shifts.
Comprehensive Logistics, which manages global inbound logistics and sub-assembly processes for the Cruze at Lordstown said it was working with the supplier to resume production as quickly as possible. “Once we are sure the material will meet our customer satisfaction standards, we will resume production,” a spokesperson for the company told Automotive Logistics.
In November, combined sales of GM small and compact cars, led by the new Chevrolet Sonic and the Chevrolet Cruze, were up 54% compared with a year ago, according to GM. The Chevrolet brand also celebrated its centennial in November with global sales that reached a million.
However, in the US this week’s shutdown at Lordstown follows the idling of activity at the plant for a week at the end of November, which was implemented to prevent the build up of unsold Cruzes in the US. Chevrolet has seen sales in that market slip since the summer when it enjoyed a period as the country’s best-selling compact car.
The Cruze is also assembled in South Korea, China and Australia.
