gretchen whitmer expires at 1159 pm april 13 us automakers book revenue when vehicles are shipped to dealers so without production the revenue stream is largely cut off the factories were to be closed until march 30 but earlier this week ford extended that date indefinitely general motors said thursday that it doesnt have a firm date to reopen its north american factories fiat chrysler said it had no announcement yet combined the detroit automakers have about 150000 unionized factory workers ford has about 56000 workers represented by the uaw and some members have been fearful of catching the virus and taking it home to their families two union workers from fiat chrysler plants in the detroit area and kokomo indiana have died this week from complications due to the virus but its not clear whether they got it at the factories or elsewhere for most people the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks for some especially older adults and people with existing health problems it can cause more severe illness including pneumonia or death the effort to reopen the plants comes as amazon and other large warehouses continue operations although some of the goods theyre distributing are considered essential also on thursday honda said it too was pushing to reopen its us and canadian factories starting april 7 the japanese automaker closed its factories monday and had planned to start making vehicles again on march 31 ap published on mar 26 2020 at 0758 pm ist telegram facebook copy link be the first one to comment comment now comments comment now read comment 1 all comments post post find this comment offensive choose your reason below and click on the submit button this will alert our moderators to take actions reasons for reporting foul language defamatory inciting hatred against a certain community out of context spam others report join the community of 2m industry professionals subscribe to our newsletter to get latest insights analysis download etauto app get realtime updates save your favourite articles scan to download app ford assembly plant coronavirus impact ford united auto workers detroit automakers homenewsindustryford pushes for factory restart union not so sure