Chrysler Earnings Reduced By Changes

Chrysler Corp. said Monday its second-quarter earnings would be reduced by $232 million before taxes to reflect the cost of a production cutback and the change to a new product at its Newark, Del., assembly plant.

The charge, which Chrysler said would amount to about 36 cents a share after taxes, will reflect the costs of benefits to laid-off workers and equipment and tooling necessary for the changeover.

Chrysler is discontinuing production of LeBaron convertibles this month at the plant, which also builds Chrysler Concorde and Dodge Intrepid sedans.