Ohio Truck Plant Announces Job Reductions

Why it matters locally: As General Motors is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, job reductions at one of its major production plants in a neighboring state could signal broader company-wide strategic shifts that may indirectly affect Michigan's automotive industry and workforce.

LORDSTOWN, Ohio – A truck assembly plant here informed 1,375 employees of upcoming layoffs. The facility, which operates under the General Motors Company, issued these notifications on Wednesday. The notices detail that the job reductions will occur on March 2. Company officials cited a reduction in production volume for the Chevrolet Cruze model as the reason for the workforce decrease. The Lordstown plant currently manufactures the Chevrolet Cruze sedan. General Motors has previously indicated its intention to discontinue production of several sedan models, including the Cruze, by early 2019. This development takes place days before a political rally scheduled in the Youngstown area. President Donald Trump is slated to speak at this event, which will occur on Saturday.