March 22 (Reuters) - Chrysler-parent Stellantis ( STLA )

said Friday it will lay off about 400 U.S. workers as

it works to cut costs, boost efficiency and ramp up electric

vehicle production plans.

The Italian-American automaker company said it is reducing

its engineering/technology and software organizations by about

400 U.S. jobs effective March 31, which represents 2% of those

jobs worldwide. Last year, Stellantis ( STLA ) twice offered groups of

U.S. workers buyouts, including giving 6,400 U.S. salaried

employees a financial incentive to depart in November.