Ford to Sell Ohio Tail Light Plant

Ford Motor Co. will sell a plant that makes lights as part of its plan to rid itself of its automotive components holdings unit, the automaker said Tuesday. The plant, halfway between Toledo and Cleveland, OH, makes front, rear and signal lighting for about 60 percent of the company's vehicles made in North America. Terms of the deal to sell the plant to Meridian Automotive Systems Inc. were not released. The deal is contingent upon reaching agreement with the United Auto Workers.

From AFX News Limited

SANDUSKY, OH — Ford Motor Co. will sell a plant that makes lights as part of its plan to rid itself of its automotive components holdings unit, the automaker said Tuesday.

The plant, halfway between Toledo and Cleveland, OH, makes front, rear and signal lighting for about 60 percent of the company’s vehicles made in North America.

Terms of the deal to sell the plant to Meridian Automotive Systems Inc. were not released. The deal is contingent upon reaching agreement with the United Auto Workers.

Meridian, based in Allen Park, MI, makes front and rear end modules, exterior thermoplastics and composites and lighting and interior systems for automotive makers.

Ford agreed two years ago to take over two dozen plants, including the one in Sandusky, that were operated by auto parts supplier Visteon Corp.

But a year ago, Ford said that by the end of 2008 it would close or sell all facilities that it took back as part of a bailout of Visteon. Ford said it has sold one plant and has agreements to divest eight others.

The Sandusky plant employs about 1,700 workers.