Tuesday, March 29, 2005

Wisonsin GM plant uses shutdown to prepare for new SUVs

Associated Press

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JANESVILLE, Wis. - When General Motors Corp. shut down production work for four weeks at its assembly plant, it began preparing for the new generation of sport utility vehicles it will make at the facility.

GM announced last year the Janesville plant would be the lead producer of its new SUVs, which are known in the industry as the GMT900 series. The automaker also announced a $175 million investment to retool the local plant for the new product.

"We've got a significant amount of work going on during the downtime, probably about $20 million worth during these four weeks alone," said Jerry Oleston, the plant's manufacturing engineer manager.

Besides the current production shutdown, GM isn't making Chevrolet Suburbans and Tahoes and GMC Yukon XLs and Yukons for one week in June and one in July.

John Dohner Jr., United Auto Workers Local 95 shop committee chairman, said using the downtime, which started March 14, to get ready for the 900 series "really is a bright spot."

In the face of sagging sales of the current GMT800 series, the union and management have worked to accelerate the launch of the new product, which was originally scheduled for the first quarter of next year, Dohner said.