GM announces layoffs for 340 Ohio workers
Beginning in January 2008 GM will start cutting back production at its Moraine, Ohio plant. The plant produces mid-size SUVs such as the Chevy TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, Isuzu Ascender and Saab 9-7X. Sales have decreased on all the models, leading to the inevitable cutbacks and GM's announcement that 340 hourly workers will fall on the chopping block. The layoff will see the facility maintain its two-shift schedule, but it will reduce output by 8 vehicles per hour. Completion of the reorganization is expected by mid-March.
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
calebe 8:14AM (12/14/2007)
I didnt know they still made these. none of the local chevy/GMC dealers have had new ones for a few years now.
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rar 8:24AM (12/14/2007)
Are you thinking of something esle? Trailblazers and Envoys are on every lot. I don't know about the Isuzu and the Saab.
calebe 8:50AM (12/14/2007)
Sorry, No, Ive rented a trail blazer, I know what they are. They have not been on the local lots in a long time here. I guess they dealers are not keeping the stock, just ordering in when needed.
Tyo 10:14AM (12/14/2007)
i live in upstate ny and they're absolutely everywhere, especially dealer lots. Even the Saab.
there is a 6.0 LS2 9-7X Aero this year.
Also they forgot to mention the Buick Rainier.
iSpec 8:46AM (12/14/2007)
Retool US plants, lay-off the inefficient overpaid Canadians and move operations to the US. Canadians have the oil sands, great unemployment, a social net and lots of perks to save them.
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The Other Bob 11:15AM (12/14/2007)
As much as a love seeing jobs come back to the U.S., the Canadians need good jobs too and buy a lot of American products.
This is one place where free trade has worked well for both countries.
jonathan 9:28AM (12/14/2007)
The biggest problem is that GM and FORD have little or no money to do any of these. The only real alternative they have is to become smaller, more profitable and survive.
jay tee 9:49AM (12/14/2007)
Overpaid?
Hourly rates are roughly similar, but the overall pay with benefits is still higher in the US. It took a monumental agreement with the UAW and a sharp drop in the US Dollar to be anywhere as close as they are now.
Inefficient?
The Canadian plants are some of the most productive and highest quality plants that the Big 3 (and Toyota and Honda) have in North America. With exception of a couple plants that have been hanging by a thread for a few years, they are doing decently well. Many are significantly updating to Flex lines and are incorporating many new features.
Maybe GM should shutter the minivan plant in Doraville, instead? Very low quality scores coupled with a sub-par vehicle isn't helping GM any. Or maybe they should sacrifice one of the under performing US plants to run the other 5 plants at 3 shifts/day. Or maybe they should cut off ties with Toyota at NUMMI, as that deal has been a bust (hell, the plants in Oshawa, the among the furthest distance away from NUMMI, is the most productive and highest quality plant on this side of the planet... and the current facility has been open over 50 years)...
Many people here already dislike the Big 3 cars because of the poor quality of many American built models (w-bodies , h/g-bodies and trucks seem to get good grades, though). Instantly causing job losses upwards of 50,000 won't help the situation...
GENERALMOTORSMAN4LIFE 9:27AM (12/14/2007)
I have several on the lots here in metro Atlanta. 3 of which are the coveted Trailblazer SS models 07' & 08's with the corvette V8. Besides, the reduction is only 8 vehicles an hour-so this equates about 80 vehicles +/- a day.
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TriShield 10:09AM (12/14/2007)
This is one of the few "old GM" models still in production, complete with horrible build quality, weld dimples visible on the sheetmetal, and shiny plastic grey interior.
Eventually the Lambda crossovers will replace these. GM can't stick a fork in them soon enough.
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Tyo 10:16AM (12/14/2007)
I cant disagree with you more. The Lambda Triplets will never replace a body on frame rwd/4wd truck that the trailblazer is.
oby 10:10AM (12/14/2007)
"Retool US plants, lay-off the inefficient overpaid Canadians and move operations to the US. Canadians have the oil sands, great unemployment, a social net and lots of perks to save them"
What a completely stupid statement.
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Andrew 11:34AM (12/14/2007)
Albeit sad, this is inevitable.
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Eric77TA 3:10PM (12/14/2007)
Tyo, the Rainier (and Rendezvous) went out of production when the Enclave came online.
And whether they "can" replace a BOF true truck SUV, I think that's exactly what GM sees the Lambdas as doing. The GMT 360s are set to be discontinued in 2009 with no announced replacement.
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500 1:00PM (12/14/2007)
I didn't know they even made these anymore. Thought they discontinued them last year.
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msm 3:37PM (12/14/2007)
Currently US off rentals of these, Trailblazers and Envoys are available at $17900.00 to $18900.00 for 2007's with low mileage, these are terrific buys, old tech, but who cares less than half price in 1 year...........shows you what happens to the crap that north american car manufactures produce.
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Ben K. 10:55AM (12/15/2007)
These were great midsize SUV's in 2001, but some updates are needed. The next generation 360 platform has been delayed, sales will continue to diminish until the new model is made. The crossovers have become more popular, but there is still a market for SUV's too. GM idled the OKC plant in Feb. 2006, they built the extended, 7 passenger version of the Envoy and Trailblazer. They were discontinued after gas prices continued to rise. The five passenger model built in Ohio outsold the 7 seater 3 to 1. GM is waiting to see how much demand there is for SUV's. Don't wait too long, sales will falter as long as the current model isn't improved.
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BAM 2:18PM (12/15/2007)
They were the only vehicle with an inline 6...which was one of Ward's 10 best engines when it came out. Then they built the Colordo/Canyon and made it too small for the 6...which has killed them.
They also built several car concepts off of this years ago as this was GM's only small RWD platform.
As large SUV's become more efficient, these are getting squeezed out. We have these in our fleet that use more gas than my '07 Suburban.
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John 2:45PM (12/15/2007)
The REAL PROBLEM is Jap cars and trucks. To many Camerys are being bought with the thought that they are Better Quility. But the facts are the 2007 Camery has the most unit numbers for recalls of any model. The Ford Mustang has the Highest Quility Rating of all cars. Ford/GM are having problems because of a PRESEIVED NOTION that they are better. If you research the facts all US makers are on par with Toyota and Honda.
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Don 2:46PM (12/15/2007)
I hope that all of you traitors out there that have bought foreign cars are happy that more American workers are being laid off because of your stupid decision. Our economy will soon collapse completely and it is the result of free trade and Americans buying foreign products. I have never bought a foreiogn car and never will. I also try my very best to only buy made in the USA products. Remember --when our economy collapses very soon--just remember the part that you played in its collapse.
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