DETROIT (Reuters) – The Detroit Three automakers will shut down their U.S. plants to stop the spread of coronavirus, bowing to pressure from the union representing about 150,000 hourly workers at those facilities, industry officials said.
Ford Motor Co (F.N), General Motors Co (GM.N) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (FCHA.MI) (FCAU.N) confirmed the decisions to shut U.S. plants, as well as factories in Canada and Mexico.
The Detroit automakers’ shares took a beating on Wednesday, with GM closing 17.3% lower, Ford off 10.2% and Fiat Chrysler shares ending 9.2% lower in New York. The carmakers’ North American factories build their most profitable trucks and sport utility vehicles, such as Fiat Chrysler’s Jeep Wrangler, GM’s Chevrolet Silverado pickup and the Ford F-series truck line.
The actions come less than a day after the automakers and the United Auto Workers union agreed to keep plants running with reduced shifts and staffing, and more time allowed for cleaning.