650 Laid Off at GM Plant in Van Nuys

The second shift at General Motors Corp.’s Van Nuys plant was eliminated this week, resulting in the indefinite layoff of about 650 workers.

The move, previously announced by the auto maker, is in response to slow car sales. GM had planned to lay off the second shift April 8. But the furlough effectively began Monday because GM decided to temporarily close the entire plant this week, also because of slow sales.

The Van Nuys plant, which employs 2,700 workers, has produced cars on only 24 days since Dec. 17 because GM has periodically closed the plant to reduce its stockpile of unsold cars.

The plant is GM’s sole source for the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird.