[steinravnik]

Strong Malibu Sales Prompt GM to Add Shift

May 20 (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Corp. is in talks to add a third shift at a Michigan plant that makes the Chevrolet Malibu as a strike at a Kansas factory reduces production of the cars, a United Auto Workers local official said.

The largest U.S. automaker and UAW Local 5960 at the Orion Township, Michigan, plant are in discussions about the Malibu, which accounts for about 220 of the 1,000 vehicles a day produced there, said Mike Dunn, the local's shop chairman. The factory also makes Pontiac G6 cars.

``We're always interested in getting more production and the Malibu's been selling great,'' Dunn said in an interview today. The plant's production mix hasn't changed since the May 5 walkout in Fairfax, Kansas, which also makes the cars, he said. GM spokesman Tony Sapienza wouldn't comment on the company's plans.

A third shift to boost production of Malibus in Michigan would help GM keep up the supply of the cars on dealer lots, after U.S. sales of the model rose 37 percent this year through April. Based on the Kansas plant's average output in this year's first four months, GM may be losing 650 Malibus a day.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aZEdpZZQVw1w

 

[nsap]

Good, I hope they add the other shift. Everyone wins if you HAVE to add a shift to a plant. If they truly have to, they should start cutting into G6 production to produce more Malibus. The Malibu is selling well, whereas the G6 is a fleet hog.

 

[member12]

I agree, if they can put the extra manhours and the extra powertrains into the Malibu instead of the G6 and Aura, then they should go for it.

Dealers need a nice assortment of these cars...customers like choices.

 

[Ambalanche]

Good, I hope they add the other shift. Everyone wins if you HAVE to add a shift to a plant. If they truly have to, they should start cutting into G6 production to produce more Malibus. The Malibu is selling well, whereas the G6 is a fleet hog.

I said that when Fairfax went on strike. I can't believe GM is ONLY NOW discussing this!!!

 

[PA Dweller]

What is happening with this strike in Kansas? Will it be resolved soon?

 

[CamaroCrazy]

I said that when Fairfax went on strike. I can't believe GM is ONLY NOW discussing this!!!

ehhhh, I bet GM was considering this for awhile, but factor in the strike and the iffy economy, I'm not surprised they are doing something about it only now. Those two factors probably had to play out a little more before GM would consider more shifts. If they would have done it already, we'd be jumping all over them for building too many Malibus and flooding the market. I applaud GM for working hard to better balance supply and demand.

 

[ChevroletTough]

"build it and they will come"

 

[Ambalanche]

ehhhh, I bet GM was considering this for awhile, but factor in the strike and the iffy economy, I'm not surprised they are doing something about it only now. Those two factors probably had to play out a little more before GM would consider more shifts. If they would have done it already, we'd be jumping all over them for building too many Malibus and flooding the market. I applaud GM for working hard to better balance supply and demand.

Agreed except that the Malibu could have used an extra shift from the beginning. GM is still loosing Malibu sales because they are not available on the lot for people to choose from yet the Toyota dealer has 100 Camrys to choose from and Honda has 60 or so Accords.... I swear, the stock at the Toyota stores looks like the Chevy stores from 15 years ago! Stock them!!

 

[VCDJ]

well when you build a good car it will sell it is that simply. I just wish that gm would build more good cars like malibu.

 

[K-1]

What is happening with this strike in Kansas? Will it be resolved soon?

They've reached a tentative agreement.

 

[WishIhadatruck]

The strike is temporary but adding a shift is a bigger deal. It is probably related to sales and has little to do with the Kansas strike. Glad to hear there is a tentative agreement.

 

[GMC-70]

Good, I hope they add the other shift. Everyone wins if you HAVE to add a shift to a plant. If they truly have to, they should start cutting into G6 production to produce more Malibus. The Malibu is selling well, whereas the G6 is a fleet hog.

The G6 sedan is but the coupe and convertible aren't are they? I actually see more G6 hardtop convertibles lately--a good sign or just Enterprise??

 

[PA Dweller]

They've reached a tentative agreement.

Good, the Malibu is in high demand.

 

[bobojay]

Tentative agreement last night at Fairfax. Hummm, right after the American Axle strike is declared over, VERY interesting huhh?
I was down there yesterday for a dinner at the union hall, and it was basically settled over the weekend with just some detail stuff being done Mon. and Tues.
Again, right when Am. Axle is over, very interesting! Think there's any tie in??

 

[Hurricane]

"build it and they will come"

I agree!

Build great product and sales increase. Amazing stuff!

 

[ChevroletRevived]

Way to go! Hopefully this should help better match supply to demand somewhat. Even before the strike GM couldn't quite build enough already.

 

[prototype66]

Good news indeed, keep em coming!

 

[01sunfire01]

im seeing the new malibu more then the new accord now. this past month the malibus i keep seeing are the LT2 with the 2.4L and 3 LTZ with the 3.6 one is black with chrome work boy does it look nice. i think they need a spoiler

 

[ksr]

I think the Malibu looks awesome in the dark blue. Doesn't look like a <$25K car.

 

[ksr]

Good, I hope they add the other shift. Everyone wins if you HAVE to add a shift to a plant. If they truly have to, they should start cutting into G6 production to produce more Malibus. The Malibu is selling well, whereas the G6 is a fleet hog.

Pontiac has reported some better retail numbers of the G6 recently, haven't they?

With gas prices where they are, GM should probably gear up to crank out as many cars of this platform as possible, Saturn, Pontiac, and Chevrolet.