NUMMI, Time of Death: 9:21 AM, Pacific Daylight Time

The final production act was played on the NUMMI stage today, putting an end to the 25-year-old assembly plant. The facility which was used by both GM and Toyota, produced, for the last time, a red S-grade Corolla, which will be sold to the Japanese carmaker, probably to be included in some type of commemorative event.

"We want to thank generations of NUMMI team members whose skill and pride in their work contributed to numerous innovations in automotive assembly here in Fremont,” NUMMI President and CEO Kent Ogura told after the car was finished, at 9:21 AM.

"We also want to thank Toyota for helping to retain NUMMI workers and ensure efficient production until the last day of operations at this plant.

Our attention now will focus on helping to find a new owner that will re-use this site so that it continues to serve the Fremont community and the Bay Area."

Not all NUMMI employees will be sent home after today's closure, as some will stay for a few more months to help the carmaker, city and state officials find and sell everything that's worth anything.

"Over 75 percent of the acreage here at NUMMI is open space and pavement," said Mike Truax, general manager of Engineering. "The plant was operated to stringent environmental standards and received numerous environmental awards. This site is located between two major freeways on a prime parcel of Bay Area real estate and is immediately adjacent to the planned Warm Springs BART station."