Almost half of all workers at Ford’s American plants have accepted the company’s voluntary redundancy package.

Ford needed to cut 30,000 jobs for a deadline this week, but were instead rewarded with 38,000 acceptances for its package.

It is the biggest mass redundancy since General Motors shed 34,400 jobs earlier this year.

In order for the American giant to keep up with its Japanese rival Toyota, Ford is hoping to cut 50,000 jobs before 2008.

Ford’s chief executive, Alan Mulally, said: "While I know that in many cases decisions were difficult for our employees, the acceptances received through this voluntary effort will help Ford to become more competitive."