Steel Markets

GM Confirms Downtime at Bowling Green, Ky., Assembly Plant
Written by David Schollaert
April 24, 2022
General Motors will take a week-long downtime at its Bowling Green, Ky., assembly starting Monday, April 25, a company spokesperson told Steel Market Update (SMU).
“Only plant down next week is Bowling Green,” he said. “Last-minute issue popped up – a part shortage, not chip-related.”
The plant specializes in assembling GM’s Y-body sports cars. The week-long pause will also disrupt part of Chevy’s Corvette production.
The news from the Detroit-based automaker comes after Toyota slashed its April production by an estimated 47,000 vehicles because of the chip shortage. That brought Toyota’s total to 157,000 vehicles since the start of 2022. And most automakers continue to regularly adjust production schedules based on parts availability.
Microchip and parts shortages have been a drag on the North American auto industry for the better part of two years.
This week, however, most other automakers reported it was business as usual.
Stellantis, Chrysler’s European parent company, said all assembly plants were operating except its Jefferson North plant in Detroit. The facility is undergoing a $900 million retooling and modernization project.
Ford, Honda, Nissan, Daimler, and Subaru all reported normal production.
By David Schollaert, David@SteelMarketUpdate.com

David Schollaert
Read more from David SchollaertLatest in Steel Markets

USW cheers Evraz NA agreement with Atlas Holdings
The United Steelworkers (USW) labor union celebrated recent news of the signed agreement between Atlas Holdings and Evraz NA in which the Connecticut-based private equity company said it plans to acquire North America’s Evraz facilities.

Steel buyer spirits tempered by soft spot market conditions
Steel sheet buyers report feeling bogged down by the ongoing stresses of stagnant demand, news fatigue, tariff negotiations or implementation timelines, and persistent macroeconomic uncertainty.

Hot-rolled coil buyers continue seeking certainty
Steel market participants contend that buyers will remain in “wait-and-see" mode until some market stability is restored.

Latin American steel advocates warn on cheap import flood
Subsidized Chinese steel imports and cheap steel products from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) entering Latin American (LATAM) are threatening the region's steel market.

CRU: Steel prices fall amid global demand weakness
The forceful headwinds bearing down on steel markets across the globe have created demand challenges and sent prices southward. The US, however, challenged the global trend.