Ford restructuring tab expected to hit $3.4 billion

Idling seven factories will push Ford's restructuring costs up to a total of $3.4 billion (before taxes) for the year. The figure includes over $2.1 billion associated with early retirement packages, layoffs, and pension issues, as well as $280 million to close the plants.

The factories on the block so far are the two the automaker announced last week -- St. Paul, Minn. and Norfolk, Va. -- as well as the Wixom, Mich., and Atlanta, Ga. Production at St. Thomas will be cut to one shift.

[Source: The Detroit News]