Ford says 'significant gaps' remain to reach UAW contract deal

Ford Motor said late on Sunday that it still has "significant gaps to close" on key economic issues to reach a new labor agreement with the United Auto Workers union.

The UAW on Friday expanded its strikes against General Motors and Chrysler-parent Stellantis to 38 parts distribution centers across the United States but did not add any new Ford facilities citing "real progress" in talks with the No. 2 U.S. automaker.

Ford said on Sunday "although we are making progress in some areas, we still have significant gaps to close on the key economic issues.... the issues are interconnected and must work within an overall agreement that supports our mutual success."