P.M. BRIEFING : Chrysler to Idle 2,250 Workers

DETROIT — Chrysler Corp. said today it will indefinitely idle more than 2,250 hourly and salaried workers at three U.S. assembly plants in late March as it slows down vehicle production.

Company spokesman Doug Nicoll said 724 workers will be let go at Chrysler’s Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio, and 780 workers will be idled at its mid-sized car plant in Newark, Del. Another 750 workers will be indefinitely idled at its full-sized car plant in Belvidere, Ill., Nicoll said.

All three plants will be closed the week of March 19. When they resume operations March 26, Chrysler will begin the process of reducing the work force at those plants.