TRW to Fire 1,000 Workers at Auto Unit

TRW Inc. said it will fire 1,000 workers at the company’s automotive unit, or about 1% of its total work force, to cut costs as car makers reduce production. TRW, the nation’s No. 2 maker of air bags, said it will take a $40-million charge in its first quarter as a result of the job cuts, which analysts said might reduce expenses by about $40 million a year. In December, Cleveland-based TRW reduced profit forecasts and said it would cut an unspecified number of positions because of production cutbacks by major auto makers amid slowing sales. About 64% of TRW’s 2000 sales of $17.2 billion came from automotive parts, and the remainder came from space and defense products. The jobs being cut are salaried positions. TRW shares closed up 39 cents at $40.34 on the New York Stock Exchange.