General Motors is not adding another shift at the Orion Assembly Plant, but they are increasing production–at least until November 25, when the plant will stop making Chevy Malibus and Pontiac G6s in order to retool for an unnamed small car.
According to GM spokesperson Becki Akers-Hopson, reports in last week’s Oakland Press were misleading.
‘Orion is not getting an extra shift,? she said. ‘We are seeing an increase, though.?
On August 18, the automaker announced they were increasing production at several North American assembly plants in response to increased sales.
Shifts were added to plants in Ontario, Canada and Lordstown, Ohio, but not at the Orion plant.
They may see some overtime, though.
Akers-Hopson listed three reasons why current Orion workers may see some more hours on Fridays: the success of the Cash for Clunkers program, more vehicles being leased and the transition of an assembly plant in Fairfax, Kansas.
Cash-for-Clunkers, the popular trade-in program offered by the federal government, ended Monday but was part of the reason for an increase in production, according to Akers-Hopson.
The Orion plant will also get more work when the plant in Fairfax, which also manufactures the Chevy Malibus, begins building the Buick LaCrosse.
Earlier in the summer, workers at the Orion plant–and the entire community–were ecstatic to hear they got the nod to build a new small-sized car.
While the new car the plant will make hasn’t been announced, Akers-Hopson said November 25 is when retooling will begin.
The car company said they plan on spending somewhere between $600 million to $800 million in getting the plant ready for the new car.
In July, the Orion Township Board of Trustees approved a 25-year, 100-percent tax abatement on new personal property at the plant for GM.
It had been speculated that the retooling would begin as soon as September.
Akers-Hopson couldn’t say when the plant will begin churning out the car.
‘We’re coming to a halt on November 25,? she said. ‘I don’t know how much of a gap there will be. At this point, we’re still working out the details.?