Ford said to temporarily cut production of five models after aluminum plant fire

Bill Pugliano/Getty Images News

Ford (NYSE:F [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/F]) is temporarily cutting production of at least five models starting this week, following a fire at a key aluminum supplier's plant, _The Wall Street Journal _reported.

The automaker isn't producing its three-row SUVs - the Expedition and Lincoln Navigator - at its Kentucky Truck Plant due to difficulties with aluminum supply, a United Auto Workers official told members last week.

This pause is expected to last a week, _WSJ _reported [https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/ford-plants-kentucky-suvs-trucks-aluminum-supply-ebf31908], citing a memo that Ford (NYSE:F [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/F]) sent to workers. So far, Ford has been able to keep making its lucrative F-series and Super Duty trucks at the plant.

A fire broke out in an aluminum factory in New York last month, knocking it offline till next year. The plant is owned by Novelis, which supplies around 40% of the aluminum sheet used by the U.S. auto industry.

Ford (F [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/F]) last week said it was working closely with Novelis, and was exploring "all possible alternatives to minimize any potential disruptions."

The automaker reportedly stopped work at its other assembly plant in Louisville, Kentucky last week. Work resumed this week, with only one of two shifts operating.

It is also idling its Dearborn, Michigan plant this week, _Reuters _reported [https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/ford-f-150-lightning-plant-hit-by-aluminum-fire-related-shutdown-union-official-2025-10-08/]. The plant produces its electric pickup - F-150 Lightning.

To note, Ford (F [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/F]) is the biggest customer of the Novelis plant and its top-selling truck F-150 is one of the industry's biggest aluminum users.

Wells Fargo projected that the impact from the fire could shave off about $800M off Ford's (F [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/F]) FY25 EBIT, while Evercore ISI's estimate is at $500M-$1B.

The automaker is already facing $2B in tariff-related costs and $5B in losses from its electric vehicle unit this year.

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