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GM Shifts Resources - Cuts Jobs, but Will Spend Big On Facilities

Gorehamj

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Gorehamj Senior Enthusiast

Gorehamj

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John Goreham
Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com
11-09-2016

GM's Toledo transmission plant is 100 years old, but still worthy of more investment. The plant that has products for both front and rear wheel drive cars is one of three plants that will get a boost of nearly a billion dollars over the coming years. Much of the production is truck-related and GM says that the investment will prepare the plants for "future product programs." That means trucks . That is the good news.

 

The bad news is GM is cutting the third shift at the Lansing, Michigan plant and Lordstown, Ohio plants. The reduction could affect 2,000 jobs. The plants with the cuts make the Cruze, which has seen robust sales as of late, but is down year over year, and rear-wheel drive performance cars, which have not been doing well. GM issued a statement saying "As the customer shift from cars to crossovers and trucks is projected to continue, GM will suspend the third shift of production at both facilities in the first quarter of 2017."

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No Tyme Senior Enthusiast

No Tyme

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Rumor has it that the 10 speed will be coming to Toledo but nothing official. There was talk that the 10 speed would have it's own building and the plan at the plant in Toledo is to build a new building on what is now the west side parking lot. I think local contract issues have delayed the announcement.

f5fstop Enthusiast

f5fstop

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10-speed? I remember when the powerglide 2-speed was one of the greatest, and the turbo-hydromatics was the king. But that was all hearsay from hearing my parents talk. :driving:

And I'm quite satisfied with my 8-speed. :ughdance:

Colossus Senior Enthusiast

Colossus

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Glad there are some folks out there who like their 8-speeds! Maybe gives me a bit of hope for the future.. if I live that long.

The Zip Senior Enthusiast

The Zip

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The bad news is GM is cutting the third shift ...

 

The only bad piece of this is folks losing their jobs, but cutting the third shift will probably increase quality control. Quality control is lacking with the newer trucks. There is no way professional quality control techs with integrity would not have found the issues associated with the truck and fullsize SUV series. Two shifts may allow them time to do their job right.

Colossus Senior Enthusiast

Colossus

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I'm not so sure. I think the issues have to do with shitty engineering and designs, and not issues on the production line. Most of the production is automated now a days anyway which means it's just producing what is designed and programmed into the manufacturing computers.

The Zip Senior Enthusiast

The Zip

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...shitty engineering and designs, and not issues on the production line.

 

Not so sure 'bout bad engineering and design 'cause all the trucks will have issues. My gen 4 GMC SUV is designed and engineered like the others and after three years mine drives like it's right off the shelf. On the other hand, bad quality control could lead to some having issues. Regardless of our points, two shifts should help.

MS3DALE Senior Enthusiast

MS3DALE

Posted
Posted

 

The only bad piece of this is folks losing their jobs, but cutting the third shift will probably increase quality control. Quality control is lacking with the newer trucks. There is no way professional quality control techs with integrity would not have found the issues associated with the truck and fullsize SUV series. Two shifts may allow them time to do their job right.

 

Cutting of the 3rd shift is taking place at two car plants, not truck plants.

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