Ford Motor Co. stated that the computer-chip shortage will force it to cut output across more than half-dozen US factories in July, a sign that the supply-chain troubles could take longer to ease than auto-industry executives previously believed.Ford stated on Wednesday that its pickup truck factories in Michigan, Kentucky and Missouri will reduce or stop production for much of July, while an Explorer plant in Chicago will be idled for the entire month. Production of several other popular models also will be decreased or gotten rid of, including the Escaped SUV and Mustang sports car.The Chicago plant and the factories that assemble the pickup trucks-Ford’s largest moneymaker-had cut production earlier this spring due to the chip shortage but had been back at full tilt in recent weeks.Executives from Ford and other automakers have stated that the chip shortage should start to ease in the third quarter but have cautioned that the situation is fluid.