![GM to idle Chevy Volt plant next month [Update]](http://cdn4.leftlanenews.com/photos/content/january2012/thumbnails5.0/volt-hov-ri_653.jpg)
Although the news is headline worthy because of the Volt connection, the plant shutdown actually has nothing to do with the plug-in hybrid. GM is closing the doors to the plant in order to ready it for production of the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Impala.
GM will shutter the Detroit-Hamtramck plant from September 17 until October 15, according to Automotive News.
The 2014 Impala is scheduled for an early 2013 market launch.
Déjàvu
The latest shutdown marks the second such event at Detroit-Hamtramck this year. GM idled the plant from March 19 until April 16 due to high inventory levels of the Volt. At that time, GM had about a 154-day supply of the Volt. Current inventories are around 84-days.
GM maintains that the latest shutdown has nothing to do with Volt inventories.
"We are comfortable with our current inventory levels of these products, which allows us to take time for launch readiness of the Impala. This may include making certain areas of the line more efficient, address space constraints for incoming materials, provide additional training and more," Darovitz said.
Through July GM has delivered 10,666 Volts, up from 2,870 units during the same period last year.
