Daimler Trucks lays off 2300

GASTONIA, N.C. — Daimler Trucks says it will lay off workers at three North Carolina Freightliner plants and one in its home base of Portland, Ore.

More than 2,300 workers are expected to get pink slips, taking effect March 13.

Chris Patterson, president and CEO of Daimler Trucks North America, said the layoffs are in response to the current global recession and weak demand for commercial vehicles.

"Although these actions are unavoidable and necessary, we deeply regret the impact on our employees and their families," Patterson said in a statement. "These are extremely difficult and challenging times for our industry. We look forward to returning to normal production operations when business conditions stabilize."

Freightliner already had cut more than 550 jobs at the Gastonia, N.C. plant in October.

The parent company is also gearing down at its St. Thomas, Ont. Sterling plant, which it will shutter permanently in March.