General Motors (GM) Forced to Stop Pickup Production for Lack of Parts

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM) announced it'll have to stop production at its facilities in Shreveport, La., next week, as the lack of parts supplied by Japan have caused a shortage.

This is the first complete stoppage in North America since the Japan earthquake, as other manufactures like Subaru and Toyota (NYSE:TM) have slowed production, but not completed halted it.

Pickups affected by the stoppage will be the GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado.

The assumption is it's the five-speed manual transmission made by Japanese supplier Aisin Seiki Co. which is the impetus behind the move by GM, but they wouldn't confirm it one way or the other.

General Electric said at this time they have a 70-day supply of both pickup models. They don't have a specific date they see production resuming, but said it'll be as soon as possible.

Competitors Chrysler and Ford Motor (NYSE:F) said their facilities are affected by shortages.

GM closed Thursday at $31.44, falling $0.34, or 1.07 percent.