Ford Trims Summer Break to Boost Truck Production

Ford Motor Co. will reduce its traditional two weeks of production down time this summer to one week at six truck and crossover factories in the U.S.

The same shorter break will affect 10 stamping, transmission and axle plants that supply those facilities. All 16 affected factories will close between June 29 and July 5.

Ford says the shorter break will add nearly 40,000 units of Edge and Explorer crossovers and F-150 pickups. It's the third consecutive summer in which the company shortened the traditional summer break to meet sales demand.

But demand for the company's most fuel-efficient cars remain soft. So Ford will idle its U.S. car plants for the full two weeks to reduce inventories.