GM extends life of Hamtramck factory until early 2020

HAMTRAMCK, Mich. (FOX 2) - General Motors is extending the life of its Hamtramck plant until early next year.

The plant, the only one in the Detroit area, was to stop making vehicles as of June 1. But the company now says production of the Chevrolet Impala and Cadillac CT6 will continue into January of 2020.

The factory is one of five that GM plans to shutter as part of a restructuring to cut costs and reduce underused plants. In all, GM is shedding about 5,000 factory jobs and another 8,000 salaried workers.

The company says the plant will stay open as it produces a high-performance version of the CT6 and vehicles with its "Super Cruise" advanced driver assist system.

But the plant is likely to close early next year.

“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.  

For those UAW brothers and sisters at GM Warren Transmission Operations, GM Lordstown Assembly and in the GM GPS Baltimore plant in Maryland, let me reiterate that the UAW will leave no stone unturned in seeking to keep your plants open and we hope today’s news brings a measure of hope as we continue that important work. 

On behalf of UAW members at Hamtramck and throughout the UAW, we want to thank the tens of thousands of people who have supported our members in these trying weeks. And we ask your continued support for workers in our three other facilities as we strive to find a solution to continued production in those locations. Again, we commend GM for today’s decision and we reiterate the importance of a collective bargaining process in times like these.”

- Joint statement from UAW President Gary Jones and UAW Vice President Terry Dittes

The Associated Press contributed to this report