Chrysler announced plans to cut 300 of its 1,700 employees at its light truck assembly plant in Saltillo, Mexico. The plant builds Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 series trucks, which are mainly exported to the United States and Canada. The plant is also expected to pick up production for Nissan trucks.

Last month GM also announced that it was cutting 600 jobs at its industrial complex in Silao, Mexico. The Silao plant produces some of GM’s GMT-900-based vehicles, as well as engines and transmissions.

Both Chrysler and GM attribute the job cuts directly to the slumping U.S. market. Though Chrysler will need to higher about 485 workers when production of its Phoenix engines starts next year in Saltillo. But there is good news for Mexican workers, Freightliner will be expected to have a new plant up and running in Mexico by 2009.

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