Ford plans to cut 900 jobs from its Flat Rock, Michigan, assembly plant soon. The cuts come on the heels of a tough sales year for the Mustang, which saw volume drop 27% amid competition from the Camaro and a poor US economy. There are 2,300 employees at the facility.
Most of the employees will be offered jobs at other Ford plants, but that may be small consolation to workers with families or other issues that would make a move all but impossible. The Chicago plant, which produces the Explorer, will be adding 1,200 workers to its operation near the end of 2010, so there are some possibilities for displaced workers there.
Locally, Ford has announced that 1,000 jobs will be created in Michigan to build batteries for upcoming electric cars.
The Camaro has not outsold the Mustang since 1985, but last year, even after a late arrival (in the calendar year) it only missed the Mustang’s sales total by 5,000 units. 2010 is going to be a very interesting year in the on-going pony car war between Ford and Chevy.
Source — The Associated Press — Ford Lays off 900 workers at Mustang Plant
