Ford to Shorten Summer Break to Hike Output

Ford Motor Co. says it will reduce the July shutdown at 13 of its North American factories to one week from two as part of its plan to boost output this summer by 40,000 vehicles.

The company has said capacity constraints are costing it U.S. market share this year because it underestimated the rebound in demand. Last month Ford hiked its outlook for the American light vehicle market 5% to a range of 14.4 million-14.7 million units. Industry sales totaled 12.8 million units in 2011.

Ford said last month it would boost North American production in the current quarter to 730,000 vehicles from 677,000 units in the January-March period. The company aims to increase full-year output in North America by 400,000 units to 3.1 million vehicles.

Ford is shortening the summer break at assembly facilities in Chicago (Explorer midsize crossover vehicle, Taurus and Lincoln MKS sedans), Dearborn (F-150 pickup truck), Louisville, Ky., (Escape compact crossover) and Kansas City, Mo. (F-150). Also taking only a one-week hiatus are one stamping and six powertrain factories.