Ford to close 10 plants in North America during the week of Jan. 5

While not as aggressive as Chrysler plans to shut down plants for a month, Ford announced today that it will close 10 of its North American plants during the week of Jan. 5 in an effort to keep output in line with the decrease in demand.

According to Automotive news, the move is a part of plans announced earlier in December to trim first-quarter production by 37.0 percent to 430,000 vehicles. All plants except Ford’s plant in Dearborn, Mich., that makes the Ford F-150 pickup and the Kansas City plant that makes the Mercury Mariner and Ford Escape, will be closed.

On Jan.12 all of Ford’s North American plants will open for business with the exception of the company’s factories in Hermosillo, Mexico and in Oakville, Ontario, that make theĀ Ford Flex, Edge and the Lincoln MKX.

Ford said that two other plants including the plant in Wayne, Mich., and Cuautitlan, Mexico, will remain on an extended close for retooling.