Ford suspends production of best-selling US truck

New York - Ford announced Monday it was suspending production of the F-150, the best-selling truck in the United States, after a supply chain crisis.

The news, announced on a telephone conference, will temporarily close an assembly plant near Dearborn, Michigan. The plant employs around 4000 workers who will be on mandatory layoff.

Best-selling vehicle in the US

Earlier this week, the US automaker said another 3600 workers at its F-150 facility in Kansas City, Missouri were being laid off.

Ford says it is short on some important parts to manufacture the popular vehicle, after the explosion a week ago at its supplier Meridian Lightweight Technologies, whose main shareholder since 2013 is the Chinese group Wanfeng Auto Holdings.

Dealers, however, still have inventory.

The F-150 is the best-selling vehicle in the United States, and the engine of Ford's profits.