BMW to reduce hours at German plants

BMW is reducing hours for 26,000 workers in order to to rein in production by 10 per cent as the global recession deflates customer…

BMW is reducing hours for 26,000 workers in order to to rein in production by 10 per cent as the global recession deflates customer demand for new vehicles.

BMW will drop shifts at German assembly plants in Dingolfing, its largest, and Regensburg in February and March, the Munich-based company said today in a statement.

The cutbacks will reduce production of BMW’s 3-Series to 7-Series model range by 38,000 cars, Marc Hassinger, a spokesman, said.

The shorter working hours allow them to reduce labor costs and production levels temporarily without mass firings, BMW said.