Ford motor Chicago assembly line is one of the six plants that will shut down for a week instead of the usual two weeks this summer. Image source: FordFord says that it will shorten the traditional summer shut-down at some of its auto manufacturing plants for the third consecutive year to meet rising demand. The automaker says it will produce an additional 40,000 vehicles this summer as it keeps six assembly plants open for an additional week.

(IHS Analyst Mike Wall offers his automotive market forecast in this Engineering360 webinar on demand.)

Ford says the model experiencing the strongest demand is its revamped Edge midsize SUV.

Beginning June 29, six assembly plants, as well as supporting powertrain and stamping plants, will shut down for one week instead of the usual two weeks. Locations include Chicago, Dearborn Truck in Michigan, Kansas City, Oakville in Ontario, Canada, and two plants in Louisville, Kentucky.

Ford says its U.S. sales are expected to reach 17 million this year, near their historically high peaks of a decade ago.