(May 13, 2011) — Japanese automakers aren't the only manufacturers affected by the earthquake. Chrysler announced on Thursday it has canceled overtime in a Mexican plant and will move up the usual summer shutdown.

The actions were taken to preserve parts from suppliers in Japan that were affected by the March earthquake.

The automaker will idle some factories in Ohio and Michigan in June, instead of July, Jodi Tinson, a Chrysler spokeswoman, said. The factories make pickups and sport-utility vehicles. U.S. automakers typically stop production for a week or two to change tooling before beginning the next model year's production.

Chrysler's Toledo North Assembly Plant that builds Jeep Liberty and Dodge Nitro SUVs in Ohio will shut down during the weeks of June 20 and June 27 instead of during the week of July 11 and July 18, she said. The Toledo Supplier Park that produces Jeep Wranglers will shut down for the week of June 20 instead of the week of July 11.

A factory that makes Ram 1500 and Dakota pickups in Warren, Mich., will be closed during the weeks of June 20 and June 27 instead of July 11 and July 18, she said.

The assembly plant in Saltillo, Mexico, that makes Ram trucks will eliminate overtime scheduled for May 20, May 27, June 10 and June 24 instead of taking down time during the week of July 11, she said.

Source: Bloomberg News