Added on February 25, 2019  The News Wheel   ,
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GM Extends Manufacturing at Its Detroit-Hamtramck Plant by Seven Months

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The Detroit-based plant, which was set to be indefinitely idled in June, will now continue operating until January of 2020

2016 Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala’s demise has recently been delayed
Photo: Chevrolet

Late last year, General Motors announced that it would be indefinitely idling five of its North American plants in 2019. Among those affected plants was the Detroit-Hamtramck location.

Now, the Detroit-Hamtramck Plant’s future has been slightly extended. GM plans to keep the location open for seven months longer than originally planned.

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When GM first announced its intention to idle the Detroit-Hamtramck Plant, its operations were set to cease in June of this year. GM just announced that manufacturing will continue at the plant through January of 2020.

During this time, GM will continue producing the Chevrolet Impala and Cadillac CT6. GM says that it still plans to eventually phase out the Impala.

CT6 production is being kept alive to keep key Cadillac technologies in the market. Those technologies include the Blackwing Twin-Turbo V-8 engine and the Super Cruise semi-autonomous system.

2017 Volt
The Chevrolet Volt and Buick LaCrosse weren’t nearly as lucky
Photo: KelleyBlueBook

However, production for the Chevrolet Volt and Buick LaCrosse, which were also assembled at Detroit-Hamtramck, has not been extended. Production for both models came to an end on Feb. 15.

GM’s decision to keep the Detroit-Hamtramck Plant operational for seven more months is welcome news for the nearly 800 workers it currently employs there. Dan Flores, a spokesperson for GM, stated that their employment will continue as the plant extends its operations.

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A total of 586 Detroit-Hamtramck workers have already transferred to the Flint Assembly location. Anyone currently employed at the Detroit-Hamtramck location can apply for transfer opportunities, according to Flores.

While a seven-month extension is welcome news for the Detroit-Hamtramck location, GM still plans on indefinitely idling operations down the line. In the meantime, it’s a welcome surprise for both Detroit-Hamtramck workers and fans of the Impala and CT6.

News Source: Detroit Free Press