Ford to offer workers buyouts

DEARBORN, Mich. -- Ford Motor Co. will offer buyout and early retirement packages to 54,000 U.S. hourly workers, or 93 percent of its hourly work force, to cut costs and replace those leaving with lower-paid workers. Thursday's announcement came as Ford said it narrowed its losses in 2007 but warned the outlook for U.S. sales in 2008 remains grim.