DETROIT " Ford Motor Co. says it is cutting North American production for the rest of the year as high gas prices and the weak economy depress its sales.
The Dearborn-based company said Thursday it also expects to break even in 2009, scaling back its goal of returning to profitability by that time.
Ford says it will cut production by 15 percent in the second quarter, 15 to 20 percent in the third quarter and 2 to 8 percent in the fourth quarter.
The cuts primarily will affect pickups and sport utility vehicles, which have seen sales plummet in recent months. Ford plans to increase its production of cars and crossovers.