Ford Cuts European Output 15% This Quarter

Ford Motor Co. plans to build 370,000 vehicles in Europe in the March-June quarter, down 65,000 units from the same period in 2011 because of lower demand.

The company also intends to cut quarterly output 12% year over year to 115,000 units in South America.

Ford will boost second-quarter North American production by 20,000 units to 730,000 cars and light trucks. The company also plans to hike output in Africa and the Asia-Pacific region 15% to 260,000 units.

Ford expects its worldwide production to dip 2% to 1.48 million vehicles in the current quarter.

The company says its production will not be disrupted by a worldwide shortage of a specialty resin used in brake and fuel systems because it previously validated alternative materials it can use.