Ford Will Shorten Summer Break To Meet Surging Auto Demand

(RTTNews) - Buoyed by surging demand for its vehicles, Ford said it would shorten its summer shut-down at its assembly plants in North America.

According to the automaker, six assembly plants, and supporting powertrain and stamping plants, would shut down for one week from June 29, instead of the traditional two weeks.

The automaker said the shortened shut-down would enable it to produce an additional about 40,000 vehicles.

This will be the third straight year that Ford has shortened its summer shutdown. Plant locations include Chicago, Dearborn Truck in Michigan, Kansas City, Oakville in Ontario, Canada and two locations in Louisville, Kentucky.

Ford has been benefiting from demand for vehicles, including the revamped Ford Edge midsize SUV, the Escape, the Explorer, and its bestseller, the F-150 pickup.

Among other automakers, Chrysler has canceled its usual summer shutdown at four assembly plants in the U.S. and Mexico.