Ford to close plants

DET2002011103- 11 JANUARY 2002- DEARBORN, MICHIGAN, USA: Ford Motor Company executives (LtoR), Martin Inglis, Ford CFO & group vice -president; Bill Ford, Ford Chairman & CEO, Nick Scheele, president and chief operating officer and Jim Padillo, Group vice- president address the media regarding Ford's future plans. Ford announced that five U.S. plants will close, eliminating 37 thousand jobs, worldwide. The company will also discontinue four current models. bg/Ford Motor Company UPI.