UAW stike at American Axle now threatening Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 production
04/01/2008, 12:07 PM
By Drew Johnson
In the never ending saga that is the UAW versus American Axle, it appears as though the strike is threatening yet another General Motors plant. This time the strike is threatening to halt production of two of GM’s best sellers — the all-new Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6.
According to Automotive News, American Axle supplies GM with rear-suspension parts for both vehicles. At the current rate of production, GM will run out of parts to make the Malibu and G6 in about two weeks. The Malibu is made at GM’s Orion and Fairfax assembly plants, and the G6 is made at the Orion plant.
The strike has already forced GM to close seven light-duty truck plants, one passenger car facility and several other parts plants. GM also announced today that the strike has forced it to close its Toledo, Ohio plant, which makes the transmissions for such vehicles as the Cadillac Escalade.
However, the Chevrolet Malibu is arguable the most important vehicle in GM’s lineup, so the strike may have just awoken the giant. It now seems inevitable that GM will step in to help resolve the strike.
In lieu of the strike, GM has already decided to move some of its American Axle parts production to Dana.
Through the first two months of the year, GM has sold 27,001 Malibus — which won the 2008 North American Car of the Year award — and 30,843 G6s, a 29.1 percent and 32.7 percent increase, respectively, from the same time period in 2007.
*Of note, the Saturn Aura is also produce at GM’s Fairfax plant — and rides on the same Epsilon platform as the Malibu and G6 — and while the Automotive News article made no mention of the car, it would be safe to assume that its production is also threatened.
04/01, 12:11 PM
posted by:
edgeguy
good those cars are crappy anyways
04/01, 12:16 PM
posted by:
LaCaLover
We won’t miss the truly awful G6 anyway
04/01, 12:23 PM
posted by:
A4
if the malibu is crappy than the cramry and abbored are absolutely pitiful.
04/01, 12:34 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
I think the G6 is a decent car… and the Malibu was highly rated last time I read anything about it.
More trouble for good ol’ GM.
04/01, 12:47 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
There’s something to be said for “vertical integration.”
04/01, 1:16 PM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
At least this might clear the small backlog of MAlibus and Auras sitting on lots. Also, shifting production to Dana might be a good thing – they make tough axles (Jeep Wrangler axles are made by Dana) and GM might stay with them for good rather than put up with American Axle’s bull**** again.
04/01, 1:19 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
If American Axle loses GM’s business, consider them good as dead. There just isn’t enough business out there to support the product that they’re offering. AA needs to get with the program.
04/01, 1:31 PM
posted by:
frylock350
This isn’t what GM needs when its Malibu is hot. Hopefully they’ll stop G6 production and use what they have for Malibus.
@Deanster, yep I agree they should go with Dana instead, so long as the Dana unit doesn’t suffer from NVH issues.
04/01, 1:54 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
The first two posts were typed by FOOLS … one of whom is senile. Why is this site filled with monkeys?
04/01, 2:18 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
CaCaLover truly misses doing the Vogue in West Hollywood with the guys.
04/01, 3:48 PM
posted by:
inline6
Perhaps these suspension pieces only go on 4cyl models, which is why the V6-only (except hybrid) Aura’s production wouldn’t be threatened.
Perhaps that’s why the Aura wasn’t mentioned.
04/01, 5:12 PM
posted by:
LaCaLover
mayer-ray-nagin you sound bitter and jealous and it’s not pretty
04/01, 5:39 PM
posted by:
sharpie
LLN should report WHY they are striking. That would be more useful to see if the strike is bogus. Sigh for GM!
04/01, 7:58 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Good idea, GM. Move your entire production elsewhere if this company doesn’t want to/cannot do business. It’s absolutely ridiculous for a corporation like GM to have so much of its daily operations disrupted by a stupid strike at another company.
04/02, 9:56 AM
posted by:
tripleonefive
Doesnt matter no one is buying these POS’s anyway I see one malibu for every 5 Accords and 6-7 Camry’s
04/02, 1:14 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
Just goes to show there are more monkeys than humans buying toasters.
04/02, 1:55 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
1115: you’re boring.
We get it, you hate malibus and love hondas.
You can go now.
04/02, 4:35 PM
posted by:
tripleonefive
No JJT you are a janitor who drives a Tempo You dont get anything Women good gas mileage pancakes All you get is yelled at from the head janitor
You need to get that Japanese cars are truly superior in every way
You know it but your stubborn patriotic attitude wont let you admit it on LLN
When you do Ill leave you alone
Throw up on the floor Go clean it up