Ford to Slash Output in Romania by 50%

Ford Motor Co. says it will eliminate one of the two shifts at its plant in Craiova, Romania, because of slow demand for the newly launched B-Max mini MPV made there.

The action will reduce annual output to about 30,000 vehicles at the factory, which has capacity to make 300,000 units. The company says it will increase line speed for the remaining shift in early 2013.

Ford says no jobs will be cut. The affected workers will move to the company's adjacent engine plant, which is adding a second shift to boost production of the company's new 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine.