Freightliner to lay off nearly 2,000 workers

PORTLAND, Ore. — After laying off around 800 Canadian workers late last year, Freightliner LLC has targeting close to employees in its own backyard for dismissal.

North America’s largest truck manufacturer announced it would lay off about 1,700 workers — 800 alone at its Portland, Ore. facility, Associated Press reports, adding that the truckmaker plans on halting on-highway Freightliner production at its Swan Island facility. It will continue to make military vehicles and Western Star-brand trucks, AP reported.

Because of an industry-wide downturn in 2007, Freightliner will also let go 1,180 workers at its assembly plant north of Charlotte, N.C.

In total Freightliner could lay off more than 4,000 workers companywide before the first quarter of 2007 is over.

In December the company said it will build a new $300 million truck manufacturing plant in Mexico, scheduled to open in 2009, which will build Freightliner and Sterling brand trucks.

— from Associated Press