Auto Production Resuming After Big Storm

Auto plants that were closed by the big snowstorm are starting to reopen, for the most part.

"Chrysler group will resume all second shift production scheduled on Wednesday, February 2nd in the Metro Detroit area, and our Brampton Assembly plant," said Chrysler spokeswoman Jodi Tinson.  "The only plant that would remain down will be our Belvedere, Illinois plant."

Chrysler will also resume second shift production at its Toledo Jeep plant.

General Motors, however, has decided to keep the Flint Truck Plant closed for a second shift.  Both of the cancelled shifts at Flint truck will be made up on Friday, which is normally a day off.

Mustang plant in Flat Rock.  That factory is only on one shift.  Dearborn Truck cancelled its first shift today, but the second shift is running as scheduled.

There were also production impacts at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant, Ohio Assembly Plant and Lima Engine Plant.

The storm has not only prevented workers from getting to the plants, but it caused other disruptions as well.

"The reason we closed first shift at all of our local facilities was due to a parts shortage, which was caused by the weather," said Chrysler's Jodi Tinson.  "In many cases we couldn't get the parts we needed at the assembly plants because of the weather."

Tinson says Chrysler will continue to monitor the parts situation, but she doesn't expect more disruptions.  A separate parts issue has lead to the idling of the Chrysler minivan plant in Windsor, which will remain closed all week.