Freightliner to cut 4,000 jobs (crosspost)

[phantom power]

Freightliner to cut 4,000 jobs, executive says
12/12/2006, 12:35 a.m. PT
The Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Freightliner could lay off at least 4,000 workers next year at plants around North America, depending on when an expected market downturn for heavy trucks arrives.

"We know the market downturn is coming," Roger Nielsen, chief operating officer of the DaimlerChrysler AG subsidiary, told The Oregonian on Monday. "We just don't know when."

Crosspost:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=114&topic_id=23181&mesg_id=23181

[this_side_up]

1. more jobs to Mexico and ? some place else

By the second quarter of 2007, Freightliner plans to make only Western Star rigs and military trucks in Portland, shifting production of Freightlinter-brand trucks to factories in Mexico and elsewhere, said Joe Kear, business agent for Machinists District Lodge 24.

(more American citizens out of jobs)

........

The company also plans to make four times as many military trucks in Portland next year, thanks to new contracts secured with the help of Oregon Sens. Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden.

........



New environmental regulations on truck engines are being blamed for the expected downturn in heavy duty truck production.

(a plus for the environment but IMO, way too little, way too late)


Customers have been ordering trucks ahead of the 2007 federal deadline for cleaner-burning engines, boosting business this year but likely leading to the downturn next year.