Navistar Gives Notice of Potential Truck-Plant Layoffs

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avistar International Corp. said Friday it may lay off workers later this year at a heavy truck assembly plant in Ontario, Canada, “as the result of an anticipated market decline” next year.

The company said it was giving notice of the potential layoffs as required under Ontario provincial law.

Navistar did not say how many workers would be affected by any layoffs. Bloomberg reported the plant has 1,400 employees.

The company said the trucking industry is buying trucks ahead of stricter emissions regulations that take effect in January. Navistar is the parent of International Truck and Engine Corp., which makes trucks and engines.

The Chatham, Ontario, plant is the primary source for the company's 9000 series heavy trucks sold under the International brand. The current production schedule at the plant is 200 units per day, up from 162 units per day in January.

The plant is gearing up for production of the ProStar, the company's new heavy truck, Navistar said.