Motor manufacturers are bringing in three and four-day weeks, due to reduced production levels.

The measures, affecting 16,000 workers across the UK, are due to carmakers’ troubles amid the current financial crisis, reported The Daily Telegraph.

Ford are the latest company to announce cutbacks, with its Southampton plant to go on to a four-day week.

Bentley has switched to a three-day week, at its plant in Crewe, cutting production by 15%.

Jaguar has gone a step further, announcing a week’s shutdown at its factory at Halewood, Merseyside, this month.

It also plans several days without production at its other plants in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham.

The industry’s difficulties come as production has risen, while demand has slumped.