AUTOS

Ford Motor Closes Plants for 2nd Week: The No. 2 auto maker is idling assembly plants for the second week in a row because dealers are reacting to higher interest rates by reducing the number of vehicles they order, a spokesman said. Ford’s St. Thomas, Canada, plant, which builds Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis sedans, will shut down for a week beginning Monday. The car assembly line in Lorain, Ohio, will close for two weeks beginning Monday, halting production of Ford Thunderbirds and Mercury Cougars. Pickup truck production at Lorain will not be affected, a spokesman said.