Chrysler announced Monday that it will close its Fenton minivan plant in South St. Louis County for an indefinite period and it will idle a shift at its adjacent pickup plant. About 2,400 workers will be affected.

Tom LaSorda, Chrysler’s president and vice chairman, says the production reduction is a result of the lagging sales of pickups and minivans, which have fallen further than Chrysler projected.

About 1,500 people who assemble minivans will end production October 31. Workers there assemble the Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Caravan cargo van and an export version of the Chrysler Town & Country minivan.

About 1,970 people assemble the Dodge Ram pickup…of those about 800 will be furloughed September 2.