Ala. Mercedes-Benz plant planning more shutdowns

VANCE - The Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance is shuttering operations for several weeks over the next couple of months to cope with declining car sales.

The company announced the production slow down to employees during a meeting Wednesday night. The 4,000-employee plant will close two days this month and for two weeks in January.

Company spokeswoman Felyicia Jerald said some employees will work on non-production days, but she declined to say how many.

The $1 billion plant offered buyouts in October. It also extended the usual one-week summer shutdown to four weeks this year.