P.M. BRIEFING : Chrysler Minivan Plant to Close

Chrysler Corp. will close its minivan plant here next month, temporarily laying off about 4,400 workers, union officials said.

Chrysler Canada Ltd. spokesman Walter McCall today refused to confirm or deny the report. He said any announcements of sales-related shutdowns are made the Thursday before the effective week.

United Auto Workers and Canadian Auto Workers Union officials said employees were informed of the layoffs two weeks ago, the Detroit Free Press reported today.

Chrysler’s minivans and Jeep sport-utility vehicles are among the financially struggling auto maker’s most profitable.

The shutdown, scheduled for the week of Feb. 18, would be the first sales-related shutdown since 1984, when the plant began producing the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager.