Ford Idles New Jersey Plant: Slumping sales...

Ford Idles New Jersey Plant: Slumping sales of small cars prompted Ford Motor Co. to idle its Edison, N.J., Escort plant this week. It is the auto maker’s first U.S. layoff since 1983, the company reported. Analysts said the shutdown reflects an industrywide decline in small car sales that is due mainly to economic uncertainty on the part of car buyers. Ford spokesman Raymond Windecker said the auto maker does not know when the Edison plant, which employs 1,500 workers, will reopen.