While Detroit automakers today consider optioins for their futures after congress passed on a financial rescue plan, A Japanese car-maker with plants in Ohio announced production cutbacks. WOSU's Tom Borgerding reports.
Honda of America Manufacturing says it will schedule idle time for assembly plants in Marysville and East Liberty as part of larger production cuts in North America. Honda spokesman Ron Lietzke says assembly lines will be slowed and up to 7 non-production days will be scheduled at the two plants in January resulting in production cuts of 58-thousand vehicles between now and March 31st. The production cuts are in addition to an already scheduled two week shutdown of the plants that begins December 22nd. Lietzke says the cutbacks are part of Honda's plan to "manage inventory" in a tough economic environment. Honda workers can take vacation days or report to the plants for additional training. No lay-offs are planned. Marysville currently produces 1,800 vehicles per day while the east Liberty plant turns out 950 vehicles daily.
Tom Borgerding WOSU News.