The Changan Ford Mazda Automobile plant produces the Fiesta, four-door Mazda2 and the Mazda3.

Ford also is idling assembly plants in Taiwan and South Africa.

Ford will idle its Lio Ho plant in Taiwan for two weeks "as a precautionary move to ensure we have parts availability going forward and as a result of a shortage of vehicle kits," the company said.

The plant in Taiwan makes the Focus, Mondeo, Escape, Econovan, Mazda 3 and Mazda 5.

All three plants in Taiwan, China and South Africa were scheduled to be shut later, and Ford moved up those dates, a Ford spokesman said.

Ford officials declined to say whether the lost production will be made up with increased production later.

Ford signaled the slowdown in a filing with U.S. securities regulators earlier this month. In its filing, the company said it expected the loss of production would have no material impact on company earnings.