DETROIT â Two people briefed on the plan say General Motors Corp. will close most of its U.S. factories for up to nine weeks this summer because of slumping sales and growing inventories of unsold vehicles. The people did not know exactly when the shutdowns would occur, but both say they will include the normal two-week closure in July to change from one model year to the next. Neither person wanted to be identified because workers have not been told of the shutdowns. GM spokesman Chris Lee would not comment other than to say the company notifies employees before making any production cuts public. GM is living on $13.4 billion in government loans and faces a June 1 deadline to restructure or seek bankruptcy protection. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_gm_factories
This is one of many reasons some here do not get it. With GM, Chrysler, the Tier I, Tier II and Tier III auto suppliers, retailers and others, we WILL see a minimum of 12% unemployment in the U.S. (official rate) within a year. We'll be fortunate if we top out at 12%, and if we can avert another 4-5 million jobs lost.
Honda builds better cars. Kia builds better cars. This will be quiet a challenge but I'm confident they will be able to take over the business for GM, F & Chrysler.