Business news digest

OHIO

Temporary plant layoffs

TOLEDO — General Motors says about 1,900 workers at two powertrain plants in northwest Ohio will be temporarily laid off this month as the company tries to align production with weak demand.

GM spokeswoman Wanda Wellman says 100 employees at the engine and transmission parts plant in Defiance will be laid off for a week beginning Monday. She says 1,200 other workers at the factory 50 miles southwest of Toledo will be laid off for the week beginning Feb. 23.

Also during that week, about 600 workers at the car company’s Toledo powertrain plant will be on layoff.

NATION

Sirius mulls bankruptcy

NEW YORK — Financially strapped Sirius XM Radio Inc. said Friday that it could file for bankruptcy as early as Tuesday if it cannot successfully negotiate with the holders of its debt.

Though the satellite radio company said it has exchanged $172.5 million of debt maturing in December for new debt due in 2011, it still has about $175 million coming due this Sunday.

Associated Press