General Motors Increased Demand in Summer

Last Thursday Reuters announced that General Motors announced they have planned to upturn manufacture by 56,000 cars. To do this they will be keeping most of their plants within the U.S. open through its traditional summer closure period.

GM said nine of its 11 U.S. plants will not close for the usual two-week summer shutdowns and remain to operate over the June 28 to July 9 period to aid meet robust demand for vehicles like the Buick LaCrosse or Chevrolet Traverse. Most of GM’s U.S. stamping and powertrain plants will also work to support assembly operations. “Our manufacturing teams are taking creative approaches to increase production and reduce the wait times for our dealers and customers,” said Mark Reuss, head in chief of GM North America, in a public declaration.

GM’s U.S. sales increased 15% in the first five months of 2010 from the same period 2009, to some extent disappointing the 17% increase in U.S. industry sales.

Not including four brands GM sold or shut down, U.S. sales for its remaining Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac brands were up more than 30 percent this year through May.

Automakers have conventionally used summer shutdowns to help complete the yearly model exchange and support upkeep operations.