GM laying off more than 2,000 at two car plants as sales slow

DETROIT – Falling demand for cars is forcing General Motors to lay off more than 2,000 workers indefinitely at two assembly plants in Ohio and Michigan starting in January.

The company says it will suspend the third shifts at factories in Lordstown, Ohio, near Cleveland, and in Lansing, Michigan, because customers are shifting from cars to SUVs and trucks.

About 1,250 workers will be furloughed at the Lordstown plant, which makes the Chevrolet Cruze compact car. Another 840 will be idled at the Lansing Grand River factory, which makes the Chevrolet Camaro muscle car and the Cadillac ATS and CTS luxury cars.

GM says the moves are being made to align production to demand for the cars.

GM also announced it would invest more than $900 million at a Toledo, Ohio, transmission plant, the Lansing Grand River factory and a casting plant in Bedford, Indiana, to prepare for future new vehicles.