GM forced to close 4 truck plants

[Diamondpilot]

Saw this in the local news. Looks like they are having trouble with a supplier. We have one of the 4 plants in Ft Wayne Indiana about 45 minutes away from my house.

GM forced to shut down pickup truck plant because of strike at parts supplier American Axle - International Herald Tribune

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Here is another article I found that talks about the plants in more detail.

Four GM Pickup Truck Plants Closed By Strking Workers At Auto Parts Supplier | February 29, 2008 | AHN

Chris

 

[Builder]

Wonder if Chysler will have to close too since they use the same rear axle?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Who knows? We will see in the coming days.

Chris

 

[Z-Michigan]

I suspect GM won't be in a big hurry to tell American Axle to resolve the strike... great way to clear out inventory and maybe even create a shortage to reduce their need for incentives!

 

[dgl24087]

I suspect GM won't be in a big hurry to tell American Axle to resolve the strike... great way to clear out inventory and maybe even create a shortage to reduce their need for incentives!

I agree, with a 5 month supply of trucks on hand, it makes one wonder if they over produced with the expectation of a long strike. 2 very large Chevrolet dealerships near me have more trucks on hand than I've ever seen either have, particularly plain jane, white, "fleet" pick up trucks.

 

[Builder]

I suspect GM won't be in a big hurry to tell American Axle to resolve the strike... great way to clear out inventory and maybe even create a shortage to reduce their need for incentives!

It's that way for everything except the bare essentials guys.

There's an excellent buyers market for eveything from stocks, to cars to houses to computers......lots of great buys are coming.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Another plant had to close today putting another 2,200 workers out. That brings the total to over 13,000. Thats two plants within a hour of my home, one is 35 miles north and the other is 60 miles east. This hurts a lot of folks in my area. GM had a large plant here until the mid 90's that employed over 20,000 and many of these workers moved to work at these plants or still live here and commute.


American Axle strike forces closure of GM plant in Moraine, Ohio | The Star Press - www.thestarpress.com - Muncie, IN

Chris

 

[CumminsLuke]

This hurts a lot of folks in my area.

Not as much as you think. They still get 90% of their pay, while essentially being on vacation, without it counting against their vacation time. If I could make 90% of my normal wage and stay home, I'd not have to think about that very long. But unfortunetly for me I am just a local small business man and not a UAW worker.

 

[gordon21]

Quote from one of the linked articles:

Unless the strike is lengthy, GM is unlikely to be hurt by the parts shortage because the company has more than a 150-day supply of pickups, analysts have said.


I thought the norm for car inventories was supposed to be about 36-45 days worth? Under 30 days and you have trouble finding your exact vehicle color, motor, etc Over 60 and it is a glut. But 150 days??????

At that rate, they may never make another 2008 model. GM could wait out the strike and go straight into 2009 production a month early.