GM begins boosting North American production
Total units lost to American Axle strike: 285,503
Andrew Grossman
Automotive News
May 20, 2008 - 4:28 pm ET
General Motors is starting to make up production it lost because of the UAW strike at American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. But the automaker won't say how soon it expects to be able to bring production up to normal levels if UAW members approve a tentative contract later this week at the supplier. Today, GM resumed full production at its Arlington, Texas, truck plant. On Monday, May 19, the company resumed production on one shift at its Moraine, Ohio, assembly plant. The Moraine plant had been closed, and the Arlington plant had been producing on one of its two shifts because of parts shortages. "Due to our flexibility we have been able to make parts available," GM spokesman Chris Lee said. Lee said GM plans to restart production if UAW members approve the proposed deal and American Axle can begin shipping supplies, but he declined to give details. "We do have some plans in place, but right now all it would be is speculation," he said. GM also has been bringing parts and engine plants back online. On Monday, production resumed at these plants

Bay City, Mich. (engines, transmissions, components)

• Flint, Mich., North and South (engines, components)

• Livonia, Mich. (engines, components)

• Parma, Ohio (components)

• Romulus, Mich. (engines)

• Saginaw, Mich. (metal casting)

• Silao, Mexico (engines)

• St. Catharines, Ontario (engines, components)

• Tonawanda, N.Y. (engines)

• Willow Run, Mich. (transmissions)

GM has been increasing production over the past month after losing 29,925 vehicles as a result of the strike in the week ending April 26. If it doesn't boost output at any more assembly plants by Friday, May 23, GM will lose 13,300 units this week. That would bring the total number of units lost as a result of the American Axle strike to 285,503 -- percent of the 2008 GM production. A separate UAW strike at GM's Fairfax assembly plant in Kansas City, Kan., continues to cost the company another 4,627 units each week. The Fairfax plant assembles the popular Chevrolet Malibu sedan along with the Saturn Aura sedan. Jeff Manning, president of the Fairfax UAW local, said the major sticking point in negotiations is the role of seniority in job placement. Still, he said, talks are "going pretty well" but he didn't know when a deal would be reached. Said Manning: "I've been in my office every day since May fifth just waiting for that phone call from the shop chairman."

 

Before I purchased the HHR I wanted the NEW Malibu it looked awesome on the Chevy site but in Oct 07 none was out yet here anyway. Than I took my HHR out and my mind changed fast. I don't think I've seen any out yet, nice car but I like the HHR.