Day of reckoning for auto production

NoneBy the numbers:North American light-vehicle production7 Years of consecutive increases17 Plants running overtime in Dec.2 Plants running OT that don't build trucks4 Automakers with declines (through Nov.)17.85 million 2016 total (IHS projection)17.6 million 2017 forecast (via IHS)2,032 Vehicles built per hour in 201620% Increase in output per Detroit 3 plant since 2000 > 7 plants to watchFrom car plants that likely will see production cuts to crossover plants that will add a third shift, there are a number of North American factories to watch in 2017, said Joe Langley, principal analyst for North America light-vehicle forecasting at IHS Markit. General MotorsSpring Hill, Tenn. Builds: Cadillac XT5; GMC AcadiaReason to watch: Is adding a third shift and roughly 650 jobs as demand for crossovers continues AudiSan Jose Chiapa, MexicoBuilds: Audi Q5Reason to watch: The $1.3 billion plant opened a few months ago and is ramping up production of a popular luxury crossover with capacity to build 150,000 annually. TeslaFremont, Calif.Builds: Tesla Model S, Model XWill build: Model 3Reason to watch: Will Tesla deliver the much-hyped Model 3 on time? Or will the car be delayed, as many analysts expect? FordMichigan Assembly (Wayne, Mich.)Builds: Ford Focus, C-MaxReason to watch: The automaker cut a shift in 2015 and is phasing out production of the Focus and C-Max by 2018. Will there be additional downtime as small-car sales continue to plummet? Fiat ChryslerWindsor, OntarioBuilds: Chrysler Pacifica; Dodge Grand CaravanReason to watch: Will add a full-size crossover in 2017; how does it react to any minivan weakness in the market? FordHermosillo, MexicoBuilds: Ford Fusion; Lincoln MKZReason to watch: Ford phased out Fusion production from Michigan in 2016 and makes the sedan only in Mexico, alongside the Lincoln MKZ. Will production be cut as sales decline? VolkswagenChattanoogaBuilds: VW Atlas, PassatReason to watch: Is adding Atlas production to a white-hot SUV market Automakers are on pace to build more new cars and light trucks in 2016 than in any other year, but efforts to reduce bloated inventories next year could lead to North America's first production decline since the Great Recession.

Day of reckoning for auto production

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