GM delays the addition of a second shift at Chevrolet Volt plant
By Andrew, 10 Oct, 2011. 0 Comments
2011 Chevrolet Volt
General Motors had talked last May about adding a second shift in Michigan to build the Chevrolet Volt early next year but the automaker has decided to push it back to the second half of 2012. GM had wanted to add another shift to the Detroit-Hamtramck plant to double Volt production. What GM has accomplished is a plant overhaul this summer and its addition of workers is more conservative but this will be enough for GM to be able to double its output in early 2012 with just one shift. With this move, GM will be able to cut costs but this won’t affect the plant’s capacity to produce 60,000 Volts and Amperas (the European version of the Volt) in 2012.
Last May, GM raised its 2012 production forecast to 60,000, from an earlier forecast of 45,000, according to AutoWeek. At the start of the year, GM will add about 300 people to boost Volt production, but it will stay on its one 10-hour shift, four days a week. GM is delaying plans for a second shift, which would have required hundreds of workers more.
By that time, the production of the next-generation Chevy Malibu should already have started. According to George McGregor, president of UAW Local 22, said that with regards to a second shift, “the sooner the better” but he knows that this move will depend on the demand. McGregor even hopes for a third shift sometime in the future too. GM spokesman Chris Lee said that this approach is “more efficient” and is better for its business and customers.
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