More GM plants likely to see shift cuts or closures, analysts say

By Tom Krisher Associated Press Auto Writer ROMULUS, Mich. — At a General Motors Corp. factory just west of Detroit, about 1,000 workers are still cranking out mighty but thirsty V-8 engines that go into pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. The automaker's plans to cut 300,000 pickups and SUVs out of the production schedule by the end of next year should be a concern at Romulus Powertrain, because industry analysts say any factory that makes mostly truck components could be in danger of closure. GM officials say half of the production cut will come from accelerating previously announced closures at four assembly plants. They hinted that the other half could come from canceling shifts at other factories. Analysts, however, say it's possible another assembly plant could be shuttered, and that some factories that make truck... [read full story]