Bridgestone to Cut 800 Jobs at US Plant

Tire manufacturer Bridgestone will cut about 800 jobs in the US to cope with weak sales.

Tokyo’s Bridgestone will stop making tires for passenger cars and light trucks at its Tennessee factory, with the loss of 543 jobs.

It will also reduce production of tires for bigger trucks at the same plant, resulting in a further 259 layoffs.

Bridgestone hopes to re-hire workers when the economy picks up, perhaps as early as the Q4 2009.

The company will continue to produce tires for larger trucks and buses at the plant, with more than 700 workers.

Bridgestone, which vies with France’s Michelin to be the world’s top tiremaker, has been hit hard by weaker auto sales and a stronger yen.

The company will halt production at its French plant in Bethune for 46 days because of weak demand.