By Bill Raack, KWMU
St. Louis – The second shift production line at Ford's Hazelwood plant will be shut down on January 3.
The news is not a surprise. The automaker had announced plans last year to end the shift, but employees at the plant were told of the official end date Tuesday.
Sales of the sport utility vehicles made at the plant were down in August. Ford spokeswoman Marcey Evans says about 800 workers will be affected by the move.
"We will offer all affected employees opportunities to transfer to other Ford locations where workers are needed," Evans said. "Our plan is to place everybody."
The Hazelwood plant had been targeted for closure sometime mid-decade by Ford, but state and local officials convinced the company last year to keep it open.