US – The vehicle-maker said the third shift would be suspended at the two assembly plants from January 2017, in line with a shift in demand from cars to crossovers and trucks. At the same time, GM announced an investment of over $900m in its Ohio, Michigan and Indiana facilities for future product programmes.
Lordstown, in Ohio, currently employs 4,500 individuals making Chevrolet Cruze sedans, while Lansing Grand River (LGR) in Michigan makes the Cadillac ATS, Cadillac CTS and the Chevrolet Camaro with a workforce of 2,700. GM said that 1,202 hourly and 43 salaried workers at Lordstown would be affected; LGR will lose 810 hourly and 29 salaried employees.
As part of the $900m investment, LGR will receive $211m. Toledo Transmission Operations, Ohio, will gain $667.6m and retain 739 jobs in a workforce of 2,028 individuals, while Bedford Casting Operations, Indiana, will receive $37m and keep 45 jobs in a total employment of 719. Toledo and Bedford produce components for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles.
GM made these announcements on the day Donald Trump was elected US president. The company said it was looking forward to working with him “on policies that support a strong and competitive US manufacturing base”.
