Ford Motor Co. will temporarily lay off 130 workers at a factory near Cleveland, a move aimed at lessening supply of medium-duty work trucks hit by softening demand, The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday. The layoffs take effect next week and are expected to last until a newer version of the company’s F-650 and F-750 commercial trucks launches in September. F-Series medium-trucks are sold for various business uses and are among the company’s more profitable business lines. The strength of the commercial-truck sector has been considered a sign that economic activity is robust in the U.S. The affected trucks serve a variety of needs, from dump trucks to cargo haulers to tow trucks. Ohio is home to several automotive assembly plants and factories that make parts for cars and trucks. U.S. auto sales are slumping in 2017, potentially falling off a seven-year growth streak that has included two consecutive record years for volumes of lighter vehicles. Through April, light-vehicle sales are down 1.3 percent. Sales of big trucks have taken a much bigger hit, falling 16 percent through the first quarter compared with the same period a year ago. Big-truck sales have fallen for 12 consecutive months. Ford’s heavy-truck sales are down 10.7 percent through four months.
