P.M. BRIEFING : Big 3 Continue Plant Shutdowns
From Times Wire Services
DETROIT —
The nation’s Big Three auto makers will continue reduced car and truck production next week by shutting down all or part of 29 assembly plants and putting more than 62,000 auto workers on temporary layoff.
The shutdowns stretch out closings that began at some plants the week before Christmas and New Year’s.
Ford has the most extensive shutdowns and layoffs planned for next week with all but five assembly plants closed because of shortages of orders, the company said today. Ford will lay off about 20,360 workers in North America next week.
General Motors will close 13 plants, resulting in 33,280 layoffs, and Chrysler will shut down three of its assembly plants, resulting in the layoffs of about 8,400 workers.
