GM Attempts To Boost North American Production But Challenges Emerge

According to Automotive News, GM has been increasing production over the past month after losing 29,925 vehicles as a result of the American Axle strike. Reports suggest that if the company doesn't boost output at any more assembly plants by Friday, May 23, GM will lose an additional 13,300 units.

As a result the total number of units lost as a result of the AAM strike will swell to 285,503. Meanwhile, a separate UAW strike at GM's Fairfax assembly plant in Kansas City, Kan., continues to cost the company another 4,627 units each week. The Fairfax plant assembles the popular Chevrolet Malibu sedan along with the Saturn Aura.

Jeff Manning, President of the Fairfax UAW local, said the primary sticking point is the role of seniority in job placement. Still, he said, talks are "going pretty well" but he didn't know when a deal would be reached.

Said Manning: "I've been in my office every day since May fifth just waiting for that phone call from the shop chairman."