Coleman to meet with Ford official

Washington (AP) — Sen. Norm Coleman plans to meet with a Ford Motor Co. official this week to discuss the state of the auto industry.

The meeting comes as Congress returns to take up a bailout plan for the industry.

The Minnesota Republican urged Ford officials earlier this year to keep open the company's St. Paul plant, which makes the Ranger small pickup.

The company announced in July that the plant would remain open through 2011. The plant was scheduled to close next year.

Ranger sales graphic

Coleman's meeting Tuesday is with Joe Hinrichs, Ford's vice president of manufacturing. The senator plans also to discuss the St. Paul plant and Ford's business model.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)