The automaker, under pressure from shareholders to stem financial losses and adjust to slowing sales, is deciding weekly which plants it will shut down temporarily to reduce inventory. The announcement was postponed from yesterday and timed to correspond with the release of November's auto sales figures, the company said.
Some analysts expect the numbers to show a decline from recent highs.
Three DaimlerChrysler assembly plants already are idle this week to cut inventory, and some analysts say they would not be surprised if more shutdowns are announced today. If workers are temporarily laid off, they would still receive 95 percent of their pay under the union contract. But some workers say they would rather be on the job than at home. The Twinsburg stamping plant makes doors for minivans and sport utility vehicles. Despite deep discounts, minivan sales have not been as robust as the company had hoped.