GM extends manufacturing at Detroit plant until January

General Motors (GM) announced Friday that it will extend production at its Detroit plant until January 2020, scrapping earlier plans to halt manufacturing in June.

Reuters reported Friday that that the automaker’s manufacturing plant is overhauling its operations as its seeks to offset diminishing U.S. car sales.

The moves comes as the No. 1 U.S. automaker faces plant closures and sharp job cuts.

{mosads}“We are balancing production timing while continuing the availability of Cadillac advanced technology features currently included in the CT6-V — the Blackwing Twin-Turbo V-8 (engine) and Super Cruise (driver assistance system),” GM said in a statement to Reuters. 

The Detroit-based United Auto Workers (UAW) union lauded the decision, saying it was a relief for employees. 

“For the UAW brothers and sisters at Hamtramck, today is a sense of relief for their families and the community. The UAW welcomes today’s announcement that Hamtramck production will continue,” UAW President Gary Jones and UAW Vice President Terry Dittes said in a joint statement.

The plant will continue to manufacture the Chevrolet Impala and Cadillac CT6 sedans until early next year. It has so far halted production of the Buick LaCrosse sedan and Chevrolet Volt electric hybrid car.

GM has been in the spotlight since November when President Trump panned the company and threatened to end its federal tax credit for electric vehicles after the company announced a series of layoffs.