FORD is expected to announce an extension of production cuts at its Dagenham plant following a continuing slowdown in exports as Rover announces a 10% cut in production. The Ford plant, which makes Fiesta cars and vans, Courier vans and Mazda 121 saloons, plans to continue for up to a month the cancellation of Thursday night and Friday day shifts announced last year.

Rover insists the cut in output from 500,000 in 1998 to 450,000 in 1999 is due to a change in production programmes rather than a fall in market share. A spokesman said: 'The reasons are the end of production of the 100 and the build up in production of the new 75 which means we won't have a full year of production. We have also finished production of some niche models such as the Rover Cabriolet and Coupe. The net outcome will be a production fall.'