Ford to offer buyouts to U.S. workers

Ford Motor Co., beaten down by rising costs and stiff competition from Asia, is set to institute significant operational changes designed to rein in expenses and restore the company to profitability.

The changes — in the form of a restructuring plan — were to be outlined by the No. 2 domestic automaker in a news release at 7 a.m. Friday, followed at 9 a.m. by presentations to employees and the media.