Ford says to idle two more assembly plants

DETROIT (Reuters) – Ford Motor Co. said on Thursday it will
idle its St. Paul, Minnesota, and Norfolk, Virginia, assembly
plants as part of the automaker’s broader restructuring plan.

Ford’s restructuring plan, dubbed “Way Forward,” calls for
the closing of 14 plants, including seven assembly plants, and
slashing up to 30,000 blue-collar jobs. It is designed to
reverse a $1.6 billion loss last year in the company’s North
American operations.

Ford has already announced the closure of plants in Wixom,
Michigan, St Louis, Missouri, and Atlanta, Georgia.