[Mexico City, 18th Reuters]— As the supply of natural gas is tight in the southern United States and Mexico due to the severe cold wave, the influence spreads in the automobile industries of both countries, and Ford Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Toyota Motor Co., Ltd., etc. are on the production line. Reporting confusion.
In Texas, a record cold wave has left power supply systems unable to meet demand. The supply of natural gas from Texas to Mexico is also affected.
Mexico supplies most of its power generation fuel with natural gas, which is mainly imported from the United States. In addition, supply chains such as automobiles are complicatedly constructed across the borders of both countries.
According to the Mexican Automobile Manufacturers Association (AMIA), vehicle assembly plants have been suspended due to a major power outage in six states. Some factories use natural gas on their production lines, and at least five factories have reported a 20-30% reduction in gas consumption since the 16th.
Ford Motor Company announced on the 18th that it has temporarily closed its plants in Kansas City, Michigan, Kentucky and Sonora, northern Mexico.
General Motors (GM) has announced that it has reduced shifts at its plants in Texas, Tennessee and Kentucky.
Toyota will shut down its Texas plant until 19th, reducing shifts on 18th at its Mississippi and Alabama plants. In Mexico, the Baja California and Guanajuato plants will cut shifts over the next few days.
Nissan announced that it will continue to suspend production at its plants in Tennessee and Mississippi. In Mexico, some production has been suspended at the Aguascalientes plant, and other plants are rushing to switch to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
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