Ford Plans to Reopen Seven Idle Factories

Ford Motor Co. said it expected to resume production at the start of next week at seven North American plants idle because of a defective clutch part.

The faulty part was made by a supplier, a spokeswoman said. The plants should reopen Monday, she said, declining to name the supplier.

The idled assembly plants are in Michigan, Ohio, Missouri and Mexico. The factories employ about 16,800 hourly workers.