[clubracergt1]

THE CHRYSLER BANKRUPTCY


Chrysler will idle most plants while in bankruptcy

David Barkholz and
and Robert Sherefkin
Automotive News
April 30, 2009 - 2:47 pm ET

DETROIT -- Chrysler LLC will idle most of its plants during its time in bankruptcy.




The shutdown begins Monday and will stretch through the 30 to 60 days it is expected to take to restructure in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company said in a statement today.

Chrysler has 12 assembly plants, including eight in the United States. It also owns and operates five North American engine plants, six stamping plants and seven transmission and parts plants.

Chrysler has 26,000 UAW workers and 10,000 represented by the Canadian Auto Workers.

Chrysler spokesman David Elshoff confirmed the plan. He said he would provide details as soon as he could today.

The plant shutdown will further strain a supply base stressed by a 50 percent vehicle production cut in North America since the start of the year. General Motors also plans to shut most of its plants for nine weeks beginning in May to reduce excess dealer inventories.