Lansing avoids GM plant closures
TEXT OF STORY
Steve Chiotakis: With GM reorganizing, it looks like its home state of Michigan
will get the shaft — again. Seven plants could close there, costing 9,000 jobs. But in Lansing, the state capitol, things don’t look so bleak. Rob South from station WKAR reports.
Rob South: The two GM plants in Lansing produce some of the company’s most popular cars, including the Cadillac CTS and its line of crossover SUV’s like the Buick Enclave. GM says it will move production of the Chevy Traverse to Lansing later this year.
Randy Thayer manages Lansing’s Delta Township and Grand River facilities. He says those plants are among GM’s most modern and adaptable.
Randy Thayer: Delta Township is General Motor’s newest plant in the United States, and Grand River’s not far behind it, it’s only five years older.
GM also has a parts distribution center in Lansing. Chamber of Commerce President Tim Damon says this week’s restructuring could lure more parts suppliers to the city.
Tim Damon: We see a new GM emerge outta here, maybe a little bit leaner corporation, that maybe some of these opportunities be something that will potentially come our way.
The news also means the city will keep more than $7 million in taxes paid by GM and its employees. In Lansing, Michigan,
I’m Rob South for Marketplace.
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