Ford to Increase North American Output

Ford Motor Co. plans to increase its North American manufacturing capacity by 200,000 vehicles in 2013 through a series of production-line expansions and a shortening of its normal summer shutdown by a week at several plants.

The Dearborn, Mich., auto maker won't say what its total capacity is, but the company built 2.8 million vehicles in the region last year and was working near full capacity.

Ford will reduce its normal summer shutdown to one week from two at most of its North American plants. That alone will add 40,000 units of capacity, the company said. Also, it plans to speed up production at other plants to meet demand.