General Motors announced on Friday that the UAW strike at American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. — which has already caused the Detroit-based automaker to close seven of its light-duty truck production facilities — will also force the U.S.’ largest automaker to close at least one of its passenger car plants.
According to Automotive News, GM has confirmed that it will halt production at its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant, which produces the Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS. It remains unclear how long the plant will remain idle.
As Leftlane reported on Thursday, the UAW strike — which was sparked by American Axle asking the union for pay and benefit cuts so that the company can remain competitive with other parts suppliers — could also cause GM to close its Lordstown, Ohio plant — which makes the Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 — by next Friday.
American Axle produces brake components for all four vehicles.
While the Detroit-Hamtramck shutdown is a cause of concern for GM, the automaker is more concerned about the idling of its truck and SUV plants as GM sees the largest profits from those vehicles.
