Ford is to halt output at a plant in greater Sao Paulo between June 23 and June 27 due to poor demand, following similar moves by competitors such as General Motors, Reuters reported.

A Ford spokesman told Reuters the shutdown at its Sao Bernardo do Campo plant, where the Ka, Fiesta and Courier models are produced, would affect 2,800 workers.

There will be another halt in production at the plant between July 21 and August 1, Reuters added.

The news agency noted that high interest rates and slow economic growth are affecting demand for cars in Latin America’s largest economy where Brazil’s National Association of Vehicle Manufacturers forecast that vehicle sales will fall 5% in 2003.