GM May Cut Van Nuys Output, Lay Off 450

General Motors may cut production of its Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird cars at its assembly plant in Van Nuys this summer, resulting in the indefinite layoff of about 460 workers, a United Auto Workers official said.

If it happens, the layoff would affect slightly more than 10% of the plant’s 3,800 workers. Joe Garcia, treasurer for UAW local 645 in Van Nuys, said plant output would be cut from 62.5 cars an hour to about 40 cars an hour. The reduction would follow a shutdown to change models from June 30 to August 7.

The reduction comes as GM’s inventory of the cars has grown. Last month, GM had a 95-day supply of Camaros and an 81-day supply of Firebirds. Normally, 65 days is considered comfortable.

GM declined to comment.

GM also has yet to answer the larger question of where it will build the cars when they are given a face lift for the 1992 model year. Auto experts have criticized the bulky look of the cars, which they argue is dated when compared to the sleeker look of such popular sports cars as the Nissan 240SX.

Pontiac ‘Strong Candidate’

The newly designed GM cars are to be built at any one of four assembly plants, with Van Nuys in the running along with Oklahoma City; Pontiac, Mich., and Therese, Quebec. GM is expected to announce soon which plant will build the cars, expected to start production in mid-1991.

United Auto Workers officials have said that Pontiac is a strong candidate to get the work. GM has a former Fiero plant there that was closed last summer.

The Van Nuys plant is considered at a disadvantage because of its remote location far from parts suppliers in the Midwest. In addition, more than 75% of the cars it produces are sold east of the Rockies.