American Axle to close Detroit plant-UAW official

DETROIT, April 28 (Reuters) - U.S. auto supplier American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc (AXL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) is to close the largest axle plant in its Detroit area manufacturing complex and move production to Mexico, a United Auto Workers union official said on Tuesday.

"People are very upset about losing their jobs," said UAW Local 235 President Bill Alford. "They're very upset that a company with the word 'American' in its name is moving jobs to Mexico."

Alford said American Axle had said the plant would close by mid-July and that there are currently 734 active UAW-represented workers employed at the plant. (Reporting by Nick Carey, editing by Leslie Gevirtz)