GM Plant Shuts Down for 4 Weeks to Upgrade for Volt Production Boost

American auto giant General Motors announced today it will close the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant for four weeks beginning in June in order to boost the Volt production, along with assembly of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu midsize sedan.

"The Volt will be available to customers nationwide by the end of 2011," said Cristi Landy, director of Chevrolet Volt Marketing. "By taking the time to reconfigure the plant, we will be better able to meet the tremendous consumer demand."

As a direct result to this idle, the number of Volts available for delivery to retail customers will be further restricted over the next three months before production resumes and the Volt and the Opel Ampera begin being exported to Europe and China.

Th upgrades will increase planned Volt and Ampera production capacity this year to 16,000 units, while next year global production capacity is expected to be 60,000 vehicles with an estimated 45,000 to be delivered in the United States. The automaker also confirmed that production of the all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu will begin next year.

“During the four-week shutdown the plant will complete some pre-scheduled upgrades, including the installation of new tools, equipment and overhead conveyor systems throughout the facility.  This will prepare the plant for 2012 Volt and Ampera production and continue work on projects in preparation to launch the 2013 Malibu next year,” a company statement informs.

Coupled with already low dealer inventories and strong demand, the suspension of production will result in limited availability and reduced sales in June and July.

The 2011 Volt was launched in California, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The Volt will be available nationwide and in Europe, China and Canada by the end of this year.