GM to slash jobs and production, cancel some car models

[kevindavis007]

DETROIT/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - General Motors Co said on Monday it will cut production of slow-selling models and slash its North American workforce in the face of a stagnant market for traditional gas-powered sedans, shifting more investment to electric and autonomous vehicles.

The announcement is the biggest restructuring in North America for the U.S. No. 1 carmaker since its bankruptcy a decade ago. Its shares rallied 7.6 percent to $38.66.

GM plans to halt production next year at three assembly plants - Lordstown, Ohio, Hamtramck, Michigan, and Oshawa, Ontario. The company also plans to stop building several models now assembled at those plants, including the Chevrolet Cruze, the Cadillac CT6 and the Buick LaCrosse. The Cruze compact car will be discontinued in the U.S. market in 2019.

Plants in Baltimore, Maryland, and Warren, Michigan that assemble powertrain components will have no products assigned to them after 2019 and thus are at risk of closure, the company said. It will also close two factories outside North America, but did not identify them.

Read More: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gm-restructuring/gm-to-cut-car-production-in-north-america-halt-some-models-source-idUSKCN1NV1NB

[dfwgator]

Looks like Michael Moore has his next documentary...."Mary and Me."

[mystery-ak]

GM workers at Canadian plant walk off in protest after company announces cuts
https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/418251-canadian-workers-walk-off-in-protest-after-gm-announces-cuts

[IsailedawayfromFR]

GM workers at Canadian plant walk off in protest after company announces cuts
https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/418251-canadian-workers-walk-off-in-protest-after-gm-announces-cuts

Kinda dumb it seems to leave earlier than needed.

Oh well, these are Canadians.

[Applewood]

GM is just doing this to make Trump look bad.  What was that about all those manufacturing jobs coming back to the US?

[RetBobbyMI]

GM part II, another failure. They kept trying to sell cars (Cruse) no one wanted under the Obama bailout, now want to sell the buyers on technology (hybrid) no one wants. They’ll never learn.

[Applewood]

GM part II, another failure. They kept trying to sell cars (Cruse) no one wanted under the Obama bailout, now want to sell the buyers on technology (hybrid) no one wants. They’ll never learn.

Well, at least according to another report I read, the Volt will also be gone.

GM insists buyers aren't interested in the traditional gas guzzlers.  Perhaps that's because the prices on those cars have become prohibitive.  But most car owners I know would rather have the traditional tried and true models like the Impala (which I hear will also be discontinued) than these allegedly eco-friendly vehicles. 

[IsailedawayfromFR]

GM part II, another failure. They kept trying to sell cars (Cruse) no one wanted under the Obama bailout, now want to sell the buyers on technology (hybrid) no one wants. They’ll never learn.

Like this?  Obama's 'car of the future' goes kaput

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/obamas-car-of-the-future-goes-kaput

It should be trumpeted everywhere how many billions of dollars in tax credits and incentives were thrown away due to the failure of government selecting losers.

[Frank Cannon]

But most car owners I know would rather have the traditional tried and true models like the Impala

That's total bullshit. No one wants an Impala unless they are in the over 80 set. Just look at the numbers on SUV sales. They are through the roof. No one buys Civics. They buy the CRV. No one buys the Impala. They buy the Traverse. Sedans are a waste of time. Even Ford is getting rid of their cars because no one wants them. The only reason Chrysler/Fiat is sticking with cars is because they cut out a boutique market with the Challenger and related hot cars.

[jmyrlefuller]

"We've made all our cars to look exactly the same: rounded rectangles with angry headlights."

"Gee, why does nobody want to buy our ugly cars??? Must be everyone wants SUV's."

[Applewood]

That's total bullshit. No one wants an Impala unless they are in the over 80 set. Just look at the numbers on SUV sales. They are through the roof. No one buys Civics. They buy the CRV. No one buys the Impala. They buy the Traverse. Sedans are a waste of time. Even Ford is getting rid of their cars because no one wants them. The only reason Chrysler/Fiat is sticking with cars is because they cut out a boutique market with the Challenger and related hot cars.

I think people buy SUVs because they are a bit roomier than those little boxes the automakers pass off as cars today.  Ever since the car companies got into the save the planet con game, cars got smaller and smaller. I don't know about you, but I like a vehicle I don't feel squashed in. These days SVUs are the only alternative to those "sedans."

[Bigun]

After the crap GM pulled in collusion with the Obama administration, I don't care if they go bankrupt tomorrow.

[truth_seeker]

Common sense argues that the various GM models, fail to compete well with other brands.

For instance, the Volt and Bolt, have competition from Toyota, Nissan, Ford, VW, Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Mercedes and others.

GM you will remember, is the company that dropped the Camaro/Firebird with an immidiate replacement.

[kevindavis007]

[RoosGirl]

Not sure I understand how this works; two years into this administration, GM is still receiving subsidies from the gov't?

[Frank Cannon]

Not sure I understand how this works; two years into this administration, GM is still receiving subsidies from the gov't?

It's the stupid electric car welfare program.

[RoosGirl]

It's the stupid electric car welfare program.

The part I don't understand is 2 years into a republican everything and this nonsense is still going on.

[Bigun]

The part I don't understand is 2 years into a republican everything and this nonsense is still going on.

A lot of people who ran as republicans in order to get elected aren't one bit republican in their political philosophy.

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

A lot of people who ran as republicans in order to get elected aren't one bit republican in their political philosophy.

And a lot of people who ran as republicans in order to get elected are one bit republican in their political philosophy.

[Frank Cannon]

And a lot of people who ran as republicans in order to get elected are one bit republican in their political philosophy.

And a lot of people who ran as republicans in order to get elected aint one bit republican in their political philosophy.

[ConstitutionRose]

I think people buy SUVs because they are a bit roomier than those little boxes the automakers pass off as cars today.  Ever since the car companies got into the save the planet con game, cars got smaller and smaller. I don't know about you, but I like a vehicle I don't feel squashed in. These days SVUs are the only alternative to those "sedans."

I need room to carry 150 pound dog.  Water bowl and at least a gallon of water.  Also his "dog bag".  I also need room to carry a router, a couple of small switches, a toolbox, patch cables, spare network interface cards (ethernet and wireless), spare video cards, several sizes of HD enclosures, a sampling of USB cables,  several spare keyboards, spare mice, a couple POE wireless extenders, my laptop and tablet, an emergency monitor.  You get the idea.   A little box car doesn't do it.   

[Frank Cannon]

I need room to carry 150 pound dog.  Water bowl and at least a gallon of water.  Also his "dog bag".  I also need room to carry a router, a couple of small switches, a toolbox, patch cables, spare network interface cards (ethernet and wireless), spare video cards, several sizes of HD enclosures, a sampling of USB cables,  several spare keyboards, spare mice, a couple POE wireless extenders, my laptop and tablet, an emergency monitor.  You get the idea.   A little box car doesn't do it.   

With all that stuff your vehicle must me this.....

[ConstitutionRose]

With all that stuff your vehicle must me this.....

Neatly stored in zip top bags by category....but I wouldn't mind having that truck!

[berdie]

GM (and Ford) are pricing themselves out of the market. I drive a truck and have for many years,  I can see out of them better and the resale is better.  Plus sometimes I need to haul stuff.

I needed a new truck about 4 years ago. I was appalled at the prices from Ford and GM. I have NEVER bought foreign...but I bought a Honda Ridgeline. Great truck. Comfortable. Much cheaper that Ford and GM.

[RetBobbyMI]

GM (and Ford) are pricing themselves out of the market. I drive a truck and have for many years,  I can see out of them better and the resale is better.  Plus sometimes I need to haul stuff.

I needed a new truck about 4 years ago. I was appalled at the prices from Ford and GM. I have NEVER bought foreign...but I bought a Honda Ridgeline. Great truck. Comfortable. Much cheaper that Ford and GM.

And Honda vehicles hold their resale value a whole lot longer than America’s big three. My only complaint with Honda is they discontinued any decent vehicle that could be towed flat behind an RV.

[thackney]

I think people buy SUVs because they are a bit roomier than those little boxes the automakers pass off as cars today.  Ever since the car companies got into the save the planet con game, cars got smaller and smaller. I don't know about you, but I like a vehicle I don't feel squashed in. These days SVUs are the only alternative to those "sedans."

I believe that setting up higher with a better ability to see down the road is a major factor.  Anytime we drive a rental sedan that is our biggest complaint.

[RetBobbyMI]

I believe that setting up higher with a better ability to see down the road is a major factor.  Anytime we drive a rental sedan that is our biggest complaint.

People driving the larger vehicles are disrespectful of the smaller cars. They pull in front of them seemingly deliberately.

[thackney]

People driving the larger vehicles are disrespectful of the smaller cars. They pull in front of them seemingly deliberately.

Maybe if the smaller car driver sat up higher, he would see them angling in sooner...

 

[RetBobbyMI]

Maybe if the smaller car driver sat up higher, he would see them angling in sooner...

 

Ha ha. I’d love to upgrade to a decent SUV, but $40 to 50k for a big 3 piece of crap is a bit much on a retirement income.

[catfish1957]

Might get flamed here, but my last GM purchase was in 1981.  Based on  that one purchased and ones before then being mechanical shit, and fell apart like the garbage it was.

So I hold a grudge.  Let 'em crash and burn.

[Frank Cannon]

Might get flamed here, but my last GM purchase was in 1981. 

I always had you pegged as a Citation owner.

[Frank Cannon]

People driving the larger vehicles are disrespectful of the smaller cars. They pull in front of them seemingly deliberately.

LOL. You gotta kill time on the highway somehow.

[Bigun]

IIRC GM is still into American Taxpayers something like $12 Billion from the Obama bailout and that doesn't mention the hosing their shareholders took to prop up the unions.  I personally hope GM goes totally in the tank and they will if they wait for me to buy anything they make going forward.

[Frank Cannon]

IIRC GM is still into American Taxpayers something like $12 Billion from the Obama bailout and that doesn't mention the hosing their shareholders took to prop up the unions.  I personally hope GM goes totally in the tank and they will if they wait for me to buy anything they make going forward.

You don't like the Socialism of GM? Didn't you say you drive some sort of Italian car?

[Bigun]

You don't like the Socialism of GM? Didn't you say you drive some sort of Italian car?

Are you kidding me???  The Italians can't make a sewing machine that works!  I drive a 10 year old 1 ton Dodge pickup with a 5.9 liter diesel engine.
 

[Frank Cannon]

Are you kidding me???  The Italians can't make a sewing machine that works!  I drive a 10 year old 1 ton Dodge pickup with a 5.9 liter diesel engine.

See. I was right. You drive a Fiat.

[Bigun]

See. I was right. You drive a Fiat.

LOL! 

[thackney]

Ha ha. I’d love to upgrade to a decent SUV, but $40 to 50k for a big 3 piece of crap is a bit much on a retirement income.

While I love our Ford 4x4 Expedition EL (extra long), it isn't the only type of SUV available.  All of the following allow the driver's viewpoint to be higher than a typical sedan.  And all about half or less the price range you mentioned.

14 Cheapest SUVs of 2018
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/cheapest-suv-on-the-market

14) 2018 Hyundai Tucson: $22,550
13) 2018 Hyundai Tucson: $22,550
12) 2018 Toyota C-HR: $22,500
11) 2018 Nissan Rogue Sport: $22,110
10) 2018 Subaru Crosstrek: $21,795
9) 2018 Chevrolet Trax: $21,000
8) 2018 Jeep Compass: $20,995
7) 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: $20,395
6) 2018 Mazda CX-3: $20,110
4) 2018 Fiat 500X (tie): $19,995
4) 2018 Ford EcoSport (tie): $19,995
3) 2018 Honda HR-V: $19,670
2) 2018 Hyundai Kona: $19,500
1) 2018 Jeep Renegade: $18,445

[Frank Cannon]

While I love our Ford 4x4 Expedition EL (extra long), it isn't the only type of SUV available.  All of the following allow the driver's viewpoint to be higher than a typical sedan.  And all about half or less the price range you mentioned.

14 Cheapest SUVs of 2018
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/cheapest-suv-on-the-market

14) 2018 Hyundai Tucson: $22,550
13) 2018 Hyundai Tucson: $22,550
12) 2018 Toyota C-HR: $22,500
11) 2018 Nissan Rogue Sport: $22,110
10) 2018 Subaru Crosstrek: $21,795
9) 2018 Chevrolet Trax: $21,000
8) 2018 Jeep Compass: $20,995
7) 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: $20,395
6) 2018 Mazda CX-3: $20,110
4) 2018 Fiat 500X (tie): $19,995
4) 2018 Ford EcoSport (tie): $19,995
3) 2018 Honda HR-V: $19,670
2) 2018 Hyundai Kona: $19,500
1) 2018 Jeep Renegade: $18,445

Those are cheap because they are all garbage. I wouldn't let someone use one of those for landfill if I needed to fill an hole.

[sneakypete]

Like this?  Obama's 'car of the future' goes kaput

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/obamas-car-of-the-future-goes-kaput

It should be trumpeted everywhere how many billions of dollars in tax credits and incentives were thrown away due to the failure of government selecting losers.

@IsailedawayfromFR

Last time I checked,the Obombers and every other member of DC's anointed class ride around in armored Suburbans with big V-8 engines and armed guards.

Big V-8 engines and armed guards are EVIL!

Unless you are one of the ruling class,of course.

[sneakypete]

That's total bullshit. No one wants an Impala unless they are in the over 80 set. Just look at the numbers on SUV sales. They are through the roof. No one buys Civics. They buy the CRV. No one buys the Impala. They buy the Traverse. Sedans are a waste of time. Even Ford is getting rid of their cars because no one wants them. The only reason Chrysler/Fiat is sticking with cars is because they cut out a boutique market with the Challenger and related hot cars.

@Frank Cannon

Frank,you are confusing the Impala of today with the Impala of the 80's and earlier models. Think "Chevy Nova" in size,but old Impala in ride comfort and luxuries.

People buy SUV's most for the same reason I buy crew cab pu's,they are practical and fill a need I have for room to haul things inside as well as out in the open. IF I could get by with it,my choice of PU would be one with a standard cab and short bed. Assuming of course that such a thing can still be bought.

[sneakypete]

The part I don't understand is 2 years into a republican everything and this nonsense is still going on.

@RoosGirl

Probably a combination of subsidizing them is a open-ended congressional dictate (no specified end date) that would require a bill be passed in Congress to end it,and some contracts being for longer periods than 1 year. Not much Trump can do to end a 10 year contract with 5 years remaining.

[sneakypete]

With all that stuff your vehicle must me this.....

@Frank Cannon

I used to drive one exactly like that except for the door lettering. Mine didn't have any lettering,but was the same exact faded red. Bought it for 50 bucks from a junkyard,and drove it back and forth to work for 3 or 4 months,until I could save enough money to buy something better. Compression was so low I had to park it on a hill and roll down the hill to start it in gear,or have someone pull me to start it. Still,once it got started it ran like a champ with no knocking. Kept it as a spare in case something went wrong with my newer "old truck",but one day while I was at work someone stopped and wanted to buy it,so my bleep father sold it to them and kept the money.

[sneakypete]

And Honda vehicles hold their resale value a whole lot longer than America’s big three. My only complaint with Honda is they discontinued any decent vehicle that could be towed flat behind an RV.

@RetBobbyMI

No disrespect intended,but if you think a Honda Ridgeline is a truck,you don't know much about trucks.

[Frank Cannon]

@Frank Cannon

Frank,you are confusing the Impala of today with the Impala of the 80's and earlier models. Think "Chevy Nova" in size,but old Impala in ride comfort and luxuries.

I'm not mistaking anything. I have driven a few and my neighbor has one that we head out in. It's a really nice car but no one under 80 would want one after being in the Traverse. It sits higher, it's bigger, has all wheel drive and can tow a boat. Sedans are for old people who can't hop up into an SUV anymore.

[mirraflake]

I bought a new car last year. Looking at Chyslers and was looking over a 4 wd dualie diesel crew cab  in the showroom.. $75,0000


Car companies have priced themselves out of the market.

EX GM head Peter Lutz said in 10 years everyone will be renting cars or using uber/lyft type services and self driving cars will pick you up and drop you off and will be waiting for you when you get off of work.

I know plenty of young folk who never got their license until early 20's and many don't have a license.

The love of cars in this country is dying with the older generation

[sneakypete]

Ha ha. I’d love to upgrade to a decent SUV, but $40 to 50k for a big 3 piece of crap is a bit much on a retirement income.

@RetBobbyMI

I bought my 3/4 ton GMC 4x4 turbo diesel for right at 20 grand maybe 6 years ago. Used with 98k miles on it,but that's just broken in for a diesel. In fact,I have yet to add a quart of oil between changes. I use Mobile 1 synthetic diesel oil,and change oil and filter at 20k miles.

 Last road trip I made in it I pulled out of Minot,ND headed for the east coast with a total weight right at 20,000 lbs,set the cruise control on 75 MPH,and just let it eat. At times I forgot I was even pulling anything. Never came out of overdrive until I hit the steeper grades in the Smokies. I love that truck so much I didn't have the heart to trade it in when I bought the new 4x4 2016 crewcab Chevy 1500 with the 5.3 gas (spit!) engine and 6 speed auto od trans. 

I use the new one for local hauls to save wear and tear on my good truck. Average retail for my 06 GMC with the low mileage it has on it was right at 21 grand last time I checked,and I have several local people telling me to let them know when I decide to sell it because they want it. Never bought a used truck or car in my life that had a higher retail several years after I bought it than when I bought it. Last year of the LBZ engine,which has 365hp and 665 ft lbs on torque,and no smog devices at all other than a PCV valve.

I bought the 2016 a few months after the 2017's were out,and even though it had a sticker price of 43 grand,I got it for 32 grand and it was still a new truck. Nothing special. I can't drive anywhere without seeing several just like it rolling down the road,but it's just a necessary tool. Have 22 K miles on it now with no trouble at all other than the cheap Firestone tires on it shredding and the local Chevy dealer refusing to replace them under warranty "because you have a trailer hitch and car tires on your truck,so you violated the tire warranty." When I asked the service bitch "Who put the car tires on the truck,me or GM,and WHY would they put "car tires" (there is no such thing) on a truck to start with?",she had nothing to say.

So the dealership she works for lost a future sale when I get ready to get rid of this one,and I bought 4 new Cooper tires for 140 bucks each from Amazon and put them on there. Truck gets right at 20 MPG (truck has 3:73 gears) doing local driving with me taking no care whatsoever to get good gas mileage,and has been problem free mechanically.

[Frank Cannon]

EX GM head Peter Lutz

It's Bob Lutz.

[mirraflake]

It's Bob Lutz.

Whatever

[Frank Cannon]

@RetBobbyMI

I bought my 3/4 ton GMC 4x4 turbo diesel for right at 20 grand maybe 6 years ago. Used with 98k miles on it,but that's just broken in for a diesel.

Unless you bought a Ford Power Stroke where it would be just broken at 20K miles.