Ford to Cut 1,400 Jobs at British Plant

Determined to stem losses in its European operations, Ford Motor Co. said it plans to close its largest assembly plant in Britain--eliminating 1,400 jobs--by 2002. At the same time, Ford plans to add more than 500 jobs at a plant that makes diesel engines in the same town, Dagenham. Ford also said it will close a car assembly plant in Belarus and form a joint venture with a German partner to build transmissions. The auto maker said it plans to invest $3 billion in Britain over the next five years. The plant scheduled for closure was built in 1931 and produces Fiesta cars, Courier vans and Mazdas.