Ford eliminating 5 major plants

Ford Motor Co. is likely to close five plants that employ about 7,500 workers, or about 6 percent of the company's North American work force, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday. These assembly plants are located in St. Louis, Atlanta, and St. Paul, MN. they are also shutting down engine part plants in Windsor, Ontario and a truck-assembly plant in Cuautitlan, Mexico. The company lost $284 million in the third quarter. On Thursday it said sales fell for a third straight month, down 18 percent, and cut its production forecasts for the fourth and first quarters. The company announced that it will eliminate 4000 salaried jobs. Do you think this is because of the gas prices or just because of the fact that Ford is being overpowered by other corporations and automobile companies? Do you think that this is the correct step for Ford or should they keep these jobs and plants rolling?