Ford Motor Co. plans to downsize its U.S. salaried work force by up to 12 percent in a bid to advance its restructuring plan after stalling amid lower sales and soaring gas prices, according to media reports.

The Detroit News reported Wednesday that 2,000 employees were told last week Friday about the company's planned involuntary layoffs.

Ford warned last week that it was not on track to achieving its long-standing goal and no longer expects to return to profitability by 2009 due to the U.S. economic downturn. Consumers are also buying more cars as opposed to large trucks and SUVs.

A Ford representative could not be reached immediately for comment.

The Detroit-based car maker told employees in a memo last week that it expected to make cuts in hourly and salaried employees by August 1 and would offer more details in July.

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