GM plans short-term idle of five plants, including one in Oklahoma City

DETROIT (AP) _ GM will temporarily close five of its plants early next year -- including the assembly plant in Oklahoma City. <br/><br/>The Detroit-based auto maker says the shutdown is to drain off an

Thursday, October 28th 2004, 7:13 am

By: News On 6

DETROIT (AP) _ GM will temporarily close five of its plants early next year -- including the assembly plant in Oklahoma City.

The Detroit-based auto maker says the shutdown is to drain off an expected oversupply of sport-utility vehicles and pickup trucks.

The shutdowns will mean the short-term layoffs of 9,000 workers overall -- including more than 2,600 hourly workers at the Arlington plant. The Texas plant will close the weeks of January 3rd and 10th and March 14th.

GM says another plant to be shut down temporarily is the Oklahoma City assembly plant. More than 2,400 hourly workers there will be off their jobs the weeks of January 3rd and 10th. That plant will reopen with a slower line speed and undetermined long-term cuts.