GM further modifies production; hires broker for Hummer

On the production side, GM today said it plans to temporarily idle several North American truck plants starting next month as the company struggles to adjust to shrinking demand for pickups and SUVs.

The moves come less than a month after GM announced sweeping plans to cut truck production and add capacity on the car side of the business. The automaker is eliminating shifts this year at four truck factories and plans to altogether idle four plants by 2010.

In addition to the cuts, GM is moving forward with plans to possibly sell its Hummer brand. The automaker is telling dealers today that it has secured a broker to shop the brand to potential buyers, according to sources familiar with the plans. GM, in its annual shareholders’ meeting earlier its month, said it was considering all options for the struggling brand.

Detroit News