Ford Expects as Many as 11,000 to Take Buyouts

Ford Motor Co. said it expected 10,000 to 11,000 hourly workers at its plants in the United States to accept early retirement and other buyout offers by the end of the year.

Ford plans to cut its payroll by 30,000 jobs over the next five years as part of an effort to return its North American auto operation to profitability.

The United Auto Workers union said last week that 25,000 employees of General Motors Corp., which is also seeking to slash its hourly payroll, had accepted similar offers. Ford’s tally is lower because its offers are more restrictive than GM’s.

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John O’Dell