Automakers are likely to face spot shortages of parts next year if North American vehicle production tops 16 million units, a new survey of suppliers concludes.
Twenty-six percent of respondents said they had “difficulty meeting production expectations” this year, according to the survey of 100 suppliers polled in August and September by IRN Inc., a Grand Rapids, Mich., consulting firm.
Chrysler Group LLC said it will recall an estimated 132,000 sport utility vehicles globally, mostly in the United States, to address potential software problems that could lead to a blackout of instrument panel lighting.
Fiat is delaying the return of its Alfa Romeo brand to the United States until the second quarter of 2014, a Chrysler spokesman said. Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat and Chrysler, told reporters in Detroit in January that the U.S. automaker would start selling the compact 4C sports car this year.
Fiat Group may have to wait until 2015 for a trial over the value of some Chrysler Group shares owned by a union healthcare fund, further delaying a plan to combine the two companies.
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Fiat 500e electric vehicles manufactured Dec. 16, 2012, through Aug. 13, 2013, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
