(autoinsidernews) - Ford will slow the assembly lines at its Louisville, Ky., Assembly Plant reducing output of the Explorer SUV in 2007 as it tries to match production with lagging sales. The cut in Explorer production will also result in a loss of jobs at the Louisville plant.
Now that a line speed action has been confirmed there will be four opportunities for employees to leave the company next year, plant manager Joe Bobnar wrote in a letter to employees Friday. Ford spokeswoman Anne Marie Gattari could not confirm how many jobs would be lost, reports Trend.
Ford has been emphasizing its crossover vehicles the new 2007 Ford Edge, Escape and Escape Hybrid, and Ford Freestyle as demand for traditional truck-based SUVs declines.
Earlier this year, Ford closed its St. Louis Explorer plant as part of its Way Forward plan.