Chrysler extends shutdowns at five plants

Chrysler LLC announced that it will be extending shutdowns at five factories that were originally scheduled to reopen on Monday, January 19th. All five plants will take off an extra week and reopen on January 26th. The five-assembly plants include: Belvidere, Ill.; Sterling Heights, Mich.; and Toluca, Mexico. Chrysler's Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance engine joint venture and its Trenton, Mich., engine plant will also take another week off. According to Automotive News, Chrysler said that the extended shutdowns come due to difficult economic conditions and slow sales. Chrysler sales dropped 30 percent in 2008 and 53 percent in January - the biggest drop amongst large automakers. Other plants including the Windsor, Ontario, and Conner Avenue in Detroit will reopen as previously scheduled on February 2.