DEARBORN, Michigan (AP):
Ford Motor Co., the nation's second-largest automaker, said Monday that it will cut 25,000 to 30,000 jobs and close 14 facilities by 2012 as part of a restructuring designed to reverse a US$1.6 billion loss last year in its North American operations.
The cuts represent 20 to 25 per cent of Ford's North American work force of 122,000 people. Ford has approximately 87,000 hourly workers and 35,000 salaried workers in the region.
Plants to be idled through 2008 include the St. Louis, Atlanta and Michigan's Wixom assembly plants and Batavia Transmission in Ohio.
Windsor Casting in Ontario also will be idled, as was previously announced following contract negotiations with the Canadian Auto Workers.
Another two assembly plants to be idled will be determined later this year, and production at St. Thomas Assembly in Ontario will be reduced to one shift.
