Go for a drive in the new 2025 Ford Expedition King Ranch
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Ford Motor Co. has temporarily suspended some production at its largest factory, which produces large SUVs and its iconic truck line.
In September, a fire broke out at the Novelis aluminum plant in New York, and production of the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator large SUVs was temporarily halted at the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville. Officials with UAW Local 862, the union representing workers at Ford’s two Louisville plants, confirmed the production halt.
Expedition and Navigator production is expected to decline “this week and possibly next week,” union leaders told the Courier Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. The aluminum supply situation remains in flux, so there was no immediately clear deadline for factories to suspend production.
Ford is the largest user of Novelis Aluminum. Its use in the body of an F-Series pickup reduces vehicle weight, increases towing capacity, and reduces corrosion compared to traditional steel bodies. Ford said it is working with Novelis to evaluate options to mitigate potential production disruptions.
“Novelis is one of several aluminum suppliers to Ford,” Ford communications director Jess Enoch said in a statement. “Ford has been working closely with Novelis since the fire approximately three weeks ago, and all teams are focused on exploring all possible alternatives to address the situation and minimize potential disruption.”
In April, Ford CEO Jim Farley visited Louisville as the company rolled out the 2025 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator from its truck factory as part of a $500 million investment.
Although SUV production has been temporarily halted, the Kentucky truck plant is still open. Only the paint shop and parts of the main production area are closed. The plant on Chamberlain Lane is best known for producing Ford Super Duty trucks.
UAW officials say the aluminum shortage caused by the fire has not yet affected truck production, and at least two-thirds of the plants are still operating normally.
UAW officials said employees received a “robocall” from Ford warning them of a temporary production halt. If workers are still working at a Kentucky truck plant during a temporary production period, a variety of factors can cause production to stop. UAW leaders said some workers fall into the unemployment category, some are eligible to receive company pay for a week’s work despite reduced SUV production, and some have chosen to relocate for the time being to work in truck production.
Ford did not provide details about the production adjustments or how they may affect Ford’s earnings, which will be announced Oct. 23.
Jamie L. LaReau of the Detroit Free Press contributed to this report. Contact business reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@courier-journal.com or @oliviamevans_ on X (former Twitter name).
