Automakers seek to restart their idled factories

Ford, Honda and Toyota took steps Thursday to restart North American factories that have been closed to protect workers from the coronavirus.

The plants would reopen in early or mid-April, restoring the largest source of cash for automakers, which generally book revenue when they ship vehicles to dealerships.

Auto companies, like other businesses, are trying to manage their way through the coronavirus crisis, which has forced factories to close amid concerns employee could catch the virus while working close to others.

Ford said it wants to reopen five North American assembly plants, starting with one in Mexico April 6 and continuing with four in the U.S. on April 14. The move was immediately met with skepticism by the United Auto Workers union, which represents 56,000 Ford factory workers.

“The UAW continues to review with great caution and concern decisions being made about restarting workplaces,” union President Rory Gamble said in a statement.

Honda wants to reopen U.S. and Canadian factories on April 7, a week later than planned, while Toyota plans to restart North American plants on April 20. General Motors and Fiat Chrysler say they haven’t decided yet when factories would restart. Most automakers said they would adjust decisions if needed.

The moves come as U.S. new auto sales are expected to fall dramatically for March. Edmunds. com expects March sales to fall nearly 36% from a year earlier.

Ford, in a release before the markets opened Thursday, said it’s aiming to reopen its factory in Hermosillo, Mexico, followed by its Dearborn, Michigan, truck plant, Kentucky truck plant in Louisville, the Ohio Assembly Plant near Cleveland, and the Transit van line at the Kansas City plant.