Ford is reducing shifts at three US plants and delaying the resumption of output at a fourth by around six months.

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Chicago Assembly Plant, Louisville Assembly Plant and Cleveland Engine #2 will be reduced to one shift and the restart of production at Cleveland Engine #1 will be postponed from “spring” until the fourth quarter of this year, the automaker said on Monday.


“The plant actions are consistent with Ford’s plan to align production capacity with customer demand and changing product mix as it works to return its North American operations to profitability,” the automaker said.


Ford is currently offering an enhanced buyout or early retirement package to its US hourly workforce.


It added that the one-shift production pattern does not affect volume. Instead, it allows the plants to operate more efficiently by running continually and reducing “down weeks.” Approximately 2,500 employees will be affected at the three plants.

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Chicago Assembly Plant, opened in 1924, currently builds the Ford Taurus, Taurus X, Mercury Sable and, soon, the new 2009 Lincoln MKS, which will arrive in dealer showrooms this summer. It employs approximately 2,300 workers. The plant is slated to receive an additional new product as outlined in the UAW-Ford agreement reached late in 2007, which expires in 2011.


Opened in 1955, Louisville Assembly Plant produces the Ford Explorer, Explorer Sport Trac and Mercury Mountaineer. It currently has approximately, 2,200 employees and is slated to receive an investment in a new body shop and a new product as outlined in the 2007 agreement.


Opened in 1955, Cleveland Engine Plant #2 produces the three-litre engine with 800 employees. Cleveland Engine Plant #1, which opened in 1951, produced the Duratec 3.5-litre engine until it was temporarily idled in May 2007. Production of that engine continues at Lima.