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Honda forced to cancel production shifts due to border disruptions

February 17, 2022   ·   0 Comments

The truck blockade at the Ambassador Bridge which connects Windsor and Detroit has now caused a disruption in local manufacturing.

The Honda plant in Alliston announced it had to suspend operations on one production line during the day shift because of the ongoing situation at the border.

Truckers have disrupted trade at the border crossing for several days.

The automotive industry, which relies on the quick and easy movement of goods between plants in Canada and the United States, has been hit especially hard by the blockade.

Several other automakers in Ontario have also reduced production due to the protest at the border.

Honda said the situation is fluid and will adjust production as necessary.

The production shutdown comes on top of other problems in the auto industry as manufacturers continue to grapple with other pandemic-related supply chain challenges. This includes a shortage of semiconductor chips used in new cars. 

The blockade in Windsor is also causing problems at U.S. auto plants.

A plant in Kentucky is also shutting down some production because it can’t get necessary parts from Ontario.

“The current border disruptions at the Detroit-Windsor Ambassador Bridge and other crossings are adding additional strain to the automotive supply chain that has already been stressed by semiconductor shortages and other pandemic-related issues,” said a coalition of three auto industry trade groups, including those representing automakers and parts suppliers.

The statement went on to say there is no “separate Canadian auto industry” – plants are all owned and run by global automakers whose North American operations are consolidated with their U.S. and Mexican plants. 

Honda reported that the production line was back and operating the next day.

By Brian Lockhart
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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