Big Three US automakers to halt North American production

Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler will halt production at their North American manufacturing facilities through March 30 to thoroughly clean and sanitize the companies' plants in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, the companies said Wednesday.

Ford will suspend production following Thursday evening's shifts, it said. GM's plants will suspend operations in a cadence to ensure production stops in a safe and orderly fashion, according to the company. Production status at GM's facilities will be reevaluated week-to-week after March 30, the company said.

"Working with the UAW and listening to the concerns of our people, we have agreed to cease production at our plants across North America, starting progressively from today through the end of March," FCA said in a statement Wednesday. The company will evaluate restarting operations at the end of the month, it said.

Related: BWM, Daimler shut European automotive plants

Related: Honda to temporarily suspends US automotive production

The news of the production stoppage comes amid pressure from the United Auto Workers union, which had requested a two-week production halt at Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) facilities. The UAW late Tuesday said it had reached an agreement with the Big Three US automakers to implement a rotating partial shutdown of auto production plants in North America, with details expected to be released Wednesday.

Ford said it will work together with UAW leaders in the coming weeks on plant restart plans as well as exploring additional protocols and procedures for helping prevent the spread of the virus.

Ford temporarily closed the final assembly building at its Michigan assembly plant Wednesday morning after an employee tested positive for COVID-19, it said. The company is thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the building and will instruct people who have had direct contact with the infected employee to self-quarantine and get medical attention, it said.