LANSING – General Motors will extend the shutdown of its Lansing Delta Township plant to a ninth week as production at most of its North American plants is being shut down due to a global semiconductor shortage.
Spokeswoman Erin Davis confirmed Thursday that the plant will remain closed until at least September 20 as the chip shortage is rocking the automotive industry.
The Delta plant, where GM produces Chevy Traverses and Buick Enclaves, has been closed since July 19th. Meanwhile, GM is stowing hundreds of inoperative vehicles across Lansing while they wait for the sought-after microchips.
Related: Where GM stows hundreds of SUVs in Lansing
Part of GM’s Lansing Grand River plant will remain open, making it one of four North American plants producing vehicles next week. The Flint Assembly plant will also remain open.
UAW Local 602 President Mike Huerta said the ongoing shutdown is adding to the fear of members wanting to get back to work. It has also spelled a downturn in nearby restaurants and shops that rely on auto workers’ business, he said.
“Places that normally have a flood of people before and after their shifts are affected because these GM workers don’t go to work,” he said.
North American plants idle: GM halts production at almost all North American assembly plants due to a new chip problem
While the plant is shut down, GM will continue to deliver chipless vehicles to dealers, Davis said.
“During the downtime, we will repair and ship unfinished vehicles from many affected plants including Lansing Delta Township, Fort Wayne and Silao to dealers to meet strong customer demand for our products,” she said.
Huerta added that GM is sending a limited number of parts and chips to Lansing Delta Township so that workers can complete some trusses and enclaves that sit in the parking lot.
Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at (517) 267-1344 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @KrystalRNurse.
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