GM Says It’s Improving Production Efficiency

General Motors Corp. said it reduced the number of worker hours needed to build cars and trucks in the last year as the largest auto maker tries to catch up with Ford Motor Co. in productivity.

General Motors estimates it improved production efficiency about 8%, said spokesman Tom Wickham. The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the annual Harbour & Associates report on auto factory efficiency, said that the latest study is expected to say GM productivity rose 8% while Ford’s fell 4%, almost closing the gap. Wickham declined to comment on that.

Ford also wouldn’t comment on this year’s Harbour report, though the No. 2 auto maker is “pleased to maintain a leadership position among the full-line manufacturers in North America,” spokeswoman Della DiPietro said.

Auto makers use the Troy, Mich.-based manufacturing consultant’s study as a productivity benchmark and to motivate employees.

This year’s Harbour study is scheduled to be released Thursday.