The Orion Assembly Plant employs 1,750 hourly workers. (Photo courtesy of General Motors)
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Workers at General Motor Co.’s Orion Assembly Plant will be idled for two weeks as the company adjusts its production schedule to meet market demand. About 1,750 hourly workers will be affected.
The Buick Verano and subcompact Chevrolet Sonic are produced at the plant, and sales of small cars have fallen as gas tumbles to below $2 per gallon. In November, theautomaker announced it would shed 160 jobs at the plant through the end of 2015.
Automotive News cited sources familiar with the company’s plans in its report on the production schedule at the Orion Township plant. Production will be idled the week of Feb. 16 and April 6. GM spokesman Bill Grotz told the newspaper the automaker doesn’t comment on production scheduling at its plants.
“We build to market demand,” Grotz said.
GM plans to invest $160 million retooling the plant for the production of a new, unnamed vehicle, The Detroit News reports. Speculation is that the concept Chevrolet Bolt, introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this month, could be manufactured there.