Freightliner has joined the truck manufacturing companies that plan big plant layoffs early next year.

According to the Toronto Globe & Mail, the company expects to lay off 800 workers at its St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, plant, and another 3,200 employees at other North American plants.

Freightliner - which is part of DaimlerChrysler - claims its 2007 heavy trucks will cost anywhere from $4,600 to $12,500 more than '06 models.

The added cost, which will be used make the trucks compliant with new clean-air laws, is expected to produce a sales slump in the first half of next year.