August 18, 2006 8:15 AM, EDT

Ford May Make Additional Job Cuts

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ord Motor Co. may eliminate 6,000 salaried jobs next month, Bloomberg reported Friday.

According to a person familiar with Ford’s plans, the reduction in white-collar positions would be in addition to cuts of up to 30,000 North American jobs that the country’s second largest automaker is planning by 2012 under its Way Forward plan, Bloomberg said.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Ford is also considering accelerating previously announced plant closures in Wixom, Mich., Norfolk, Va., and Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

Additionally, rising fuel costs have driven down demand for light trucks, Bloomberg said.

Bloomberg reported that sales of pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, which Ford relies on for its profits, fell 16% through July. (Click here for previous coverage.)