General Motors (GM) has just announced that it is closing down 5 plants in North America, plus 2 more elsewhere (not ASEAN plants we hope), as it discontinues several car models as part of an overhaul of its global operations in 2019.
GM on Monday said Oshawa Assembly in Canada, Lordstown Assembly in Ohio and Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly in Michigan will end production in 2019 and not be allocated any further products. Propulsion plants in Maryland and Michigan also will not be given any product.
Oshawa produces the Cadillac XTS and Chevrolet Impala while the truck line produces the light- and heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. All production is expected to end in the fourth quarter of next year.
Detroit-Hamtramck plant builds the Chevrolet Volt, Chevrolet Impala, Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac CT6. Production of the Volt and LaCrosse are expected to end March 1, while the CT6 and Impala will cease on June 1.
Lordstown, produces only the Chevrolet Cruze. Sales of the Cruze were down 27% through September. The discontinued vehicles, many with high levels of inventory, will continue to remain for sale after production ceases.
