Ford and General Motors have confirmed that all North American factories will close temporarily.
Ford says its plants will shut down after Thursday evening shifts, through March 30.
GM says it will begin a "systematic orderly suspension" of production through at least March 30.
Fiat Chrysler temporarily closed a factory in Sterling Heights, Michigan, north of Detroit after workers were concerned about the virus.
The company said a plant worker tested positive for the coronavirus, but had not been to work in over a week.
The move by General Motors, Fiat Chrysler and Ford will idle about 150,000 auto workers.