Carmakers join tech giants in production cuts as global chip shortage worsens Honda and BMW to idle factories while Ford reduces its full-year earnings forecast 29 April 2021 - 10:28 Peter Vercoe Picture: 123RF/SASHKIN7 Sydney — The global chip shortage is going from bad to worse with carmakers on three continents joining tech giants Apple and Samsung Electronics in flagging production cuts and lost revenue from the crisis. In quick succession, Honda said it will halt production at three plants in Japan for about five to six days next month; BMW flagged it will pause Mini car production at its Oxford, England, factory for three days; and Ford reduced its full-year earnings forecast due to the debilitating chip shortage, which it now sees extending into next year.