GM to boost N.A. production, send 1,350 union employees back to work
08/18/2009, 3:45 PM
By Drew Johnson
Following in the footsteps of Ford and Honda, General Motors has announced it will be boosting production to meet increased demand. GM will initially ramp up production at two North American factories, but others could soon follow.
GM is will add shifts and overtime at its Lordstown, Ohio and CAMI, Ontario production plants. GM’s Lordstown plant produces the Chevrolet Cobalt – one of the 10-best sellers under the government’s cash for clunkers program – and the CAMI plant produces the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. GM says it has also cancelled planned downtime at the two factories.
According to GM, the added production will send 1,350 UAW and CAW employees back to work.
Strong demand for the Chevrolet HHR, Colorado, Camaro, Buick LaCrosse, GMC Canyon and Cadillac CTS Wagon and SRX will likely result in increased production at GM’s other North American plants.
“It’s gratifying to see demand for our products accelerate and we are extremely lean with inventories on our launch products like Camaro, Equinox, LaCrosse, SRX, CTS Wagon and Terrain,” said Mark LaNeve, vice president, U.S. sales. “During the third quarter 2009, we’ve added production which will result in 35 percent increase over the second quarter. With today’s announcement of further additions, the fourth quarter will now be at least 20 percent higher than the third quarter, which is a very positive trend.”
GM says about 60,000 vehicles have been added to the company’s production schedule so far.
08/18, 3:56 PM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
Strong demand for the Colorado/Canyon? That’s difficult to believe esp when you look at the monthly sales numbers.
08/18, 4:18 PM
posted by:
gta89mike
Ever since Cash For Clunkers, the GM mid-size trucks have been selling very well. I just don’t know how much demand there will be for them once Cash For Clunkers is done.
08/18, 4:22 PM
posted by:
carstuff
Maybe folks are finally turning in there Guzzler pick ups and buying the pick ups that they are allowed to buy under the CARS rules
08/18, 5:23 PM
posted by:
Borat
I am not optimist (today only). I smell the request for another 10-15 billions from GM for workers who were called for work.
08/18, 5:38 PM
posted by:
iluvamcars
Demand for the CTS Wagon is what shocked me. I am not surprised about the Colorado/Canyon. Dealers in my town cannot keep them on the lot. The HHR is another hot seller. I have been seeing HHR’s all over the roads lately. Mentioning the Equinox, i see at least four to five 2010 models everyday now. Its great news and its great to see these cars on the roads instead of the lots.
-iluvamcars
08/18, 6:06 PM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
today only? lol
08/18, 7:55 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Number 1351 on the seniority list is going to be pissed.
08/19, 9:24 AM
posted by:
zfenderguy
I’m sure there is demand for the Colorado/Canyon simply because with 3500-4500, you can get into one of those dirt cheap, considering the cash that dealers already have to lay on the hood of one of those. They probably have close to the same formula Ford does with the Ranger. Hoplessly outclassed, but cheap as hell. And a lot of people only care about saving money and having a truck that will run (whenever it’s not at the dealer for service).
08/19, 10:15 AM
posted by:
SoTXFord
The Colorado/Canyon aren’t nearly as outdated as the Ranger… thats a truck that is in need of a serious update…
As for the increase of production, Im sure these people are just happy to be working again. I’d hope they’d be aware that this could be very short term…