Post by : Badri Ariffin

Ford Motor held steady on its annual earnings forecast on Friday, despite a fresh fire at Novelis’ New York aluminum plant that disrupted production. The automaker’s stock responded positively, climbing roughly 4% during the session.

The Detroit-based company had already adjusted its outlook after a devastating fire at the same supplier in September. At that time, Ford projected a potential $2 billion hit to its profits, largely affecting its F-150 lineup. The automaker had planned to mitigate about $1 billion of this loss in 2026 by ramping up production at certain truck plants.

Novelis, a key supplier for Ford’s aluminum-heavy trucks, reported that it expects to restart operations at the affected Oswego, New York, plant by the end of December—earlier than the original first-quarter 2026 target. The latest fire has not changed this projected timeline, according to Ford.

The production halt has affected both the gas-powered F-150 and the F-150 Lightning electric pickup. Ford paused Lightning production indefinitely in Michigan after the September incident, and supply chain disruptions have continued to ripple through its truck operations.

Ford’s confidence in its guidance highlights the company’s resilience and strategic planning in the face of repeated supply shocks. Investors appear reassured by the automaker’s measures to stabilize production and offset financial losses in the year ahead.

#Business News