Automakers around the world are shutting assembly lines because of a global shortage of semiconductors Reuters January 16, 2021 An employee works at the assembly line of the Ford car factory of Saarlouis, December 6, 2010. PHOTO: REUTERS Automakers around the world are shutting assembly lines because of a global shortage of semiconductors that in some cases has been exacerbated by the Trump administration’s actions against key Chinese chip factories, industry officials said. The shortage, which caught much of the industry off-guard and could continue for many months, is now causing Ford Motor Co, Subaru Corp, and Toyota Motor to curtail production in the United States.