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GM has come under harsh criticism from lawmakers from both major
political parties, and from President Donald Trump, since Monday
when the No. 1 U.S. automaker announced the biggest
restructuring since its bankruptcy a decade ago.
Barra is expected to meet with lawmakers from Michigan and Ohio,
where GM plans to shutter three plants, as well as senior
leaders in Congress. GM did not immediately comment.
Representative Debbie Dingell, a Michigan Democrat, told CNN
earlier this week that GM had done what others could not --
uniting both parties in their anger. She added that GM "has to
be the most thoroughly disliked company in Washington DC right
now." She also criticized GM's handling of the layoffs.
GM said this week that many workers at plants that are ending
production will be able to transfer to open jobs at other
plants.
Barra has been calling lawmakers this week to explain the
decision to end production. Trump has threatened to revoke
subsidies for GM for electric vehicles.
Barra also will speak at a forum next week at Harvard University
in Massachusetts for new incoming members of Congress.
GM plans to halt production next year at three assembly plants:
the Lordstown small-car factory near Youngstown, Ohio; the
Detroit-Hamtramck complex in Detroit; and the Oshawa, Ontario,
assembly complex near Toronto. It will also stop building
several models now assembled at those plants, including the
Chevrolet Cruze, the Chevrolet Volt hybrid, the Cadillac CT6 and
the Buick LaCrosse.
Additionally, GM plans to shutter the Warren transmission plant
outside Detroit and a plant that makes electric motors and
drivetrains outside Baltimore, Maryland.
GM could opt to add additional new products to those plants at a
later date after it holds contract talks next summer with the
United Auto Workers union.
Cost pressures on GM and other automakers and suppliers have
increased as demand has waned for traditional sedans. The
company has said tariffs on imported steel, imposed earlier this
year by the Trump administration, have cost it $1 billion.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Tom Brown)
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