Ford to drop 1 week from summer shutdown

5/9/2012

DETROIT — Ford Motor Co. said Tuesday that it plans to cut in half the normal two-week summer shutdown at six assembly plants and seven engine and parts plants, including the engine plant in Lima, Ohio.

The move would allow production of an additional 40,000 vehicles. Through April, U.S. auto sales ran at an annual rate of more than 14 million, compared with last year's 12.8 million. Ford sales were up 5 percent.

Auto plants normally close for two weeks around the July 4 holiday as they switch over to make vehicles for the next model year.