|
Powertrain won't be hurt by GM move
|
Torque converter plates produced at Spotsylvania County's Powertrain facility go to all of the GM transmission plants.
FILE/SUZANNE CARR ROSSI/THE FREE LANCE-STAR
|
GM's latest closings won't affect local GM Powertrain in Spotsylvania County, which may be getting more work
Date published: 6/4/2008
BY CATHY JETT
GM Powertrain will feel no immediate impact from General Motors' latest round of plant closings.
More work might even be in store for the plant, which is one of Spotsylvania County's largest employers, said GM spokesman John Raut.
CEO Rick Wagoner said yesterday before the auto-maker's annual meeting in Delaware that GM is closing four truck and SUV plants in the U.S., Canada and Mexico as surging fuel prices hasten a shift to smaller vehicles.
The Spotsylvania plant won't be affected because the torque converter plates that it makes are sent to all of GM's transmission plants and then to assembly lines.
"They are pretty well mixed throughout the GM system," Raut said.
GM reported the largest annual loss ever for an automotive company earlier this year and has been struggling to stay competitive. It offered a round of buyouts and early retirements back in February that trimmed more than 19,000 workers from its payrolls by last Sunday, including some from the plant here.
Raut said GM will not divulge the number of employees at individual plants who took the offerings. The Spotsylvania plant had about 100 hourly workers at the time.
Arvin Jones, manufacturing manager for all Powertrain plants, paid his first visit to the Spotsylvania operation last Thursday. During a question-and-answer session with workers, he was asked about the plant's future.
"Basically, he said they're doing the right things, have a great union relationship, a great work force and he was pleased with what he saw," Raut said. "He had a really good visit and talked of putting some new business in Fredericksburg."
According to the Associated Press, the GM plants to be closed are in Oshawa, Ontario; Moraine, Ohio; Janesville, Wis.; and Toluca, Mexico. Wagoner also said the iconic Hummer brand will be reviewed and potentially sold or revamped.
At the meeting, GM's board approved production of a new small Chevrolet car at a plant in Lordstown, Ohio, in mid-2010 and the Chevy Volt electric vehicle in Detroit.
GM shares rose 43 cents, or 2.5 percent, to $17.87 in midday trading.
Cathy Jett: 540/374-5407
Email: cjett@freelancestar.com
Date published: 6/4/2008
|
