Steel Markets
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/media/k2/items/src/4b2b619155cb7c6f924351c31a46dbbf.jpg)
GM Stretches Downtime at North American Plants into October
Written by Michael Cowden
September 17, 2021
General Motors has extended downtime at some of its assembly plants into mid to late October because of ongoing parts and semiconductor shortages.
“Although the situation remains complex and very fluid, GM continues to prioritize full-size truck production, which remains in high demand,” a spokesman for the Detroit-based automaker said.
Here is where things stand now:
• Production of the Chevrolet Malibu mid-sized car at GM’s Fairfax assembly plant in Kansas City, Kan., will remain down through the week of Oct. 25. The automaker has not made the Malibu at Fairfax since Feb. 8.
• GM’s Orion assembly plant in Michigan, which makes the Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle (EV), will be down the through the week of Oct. 11 because of a safety recall. The facility was previously expected to resume production in late September.
• The automaker’s Lansing Delta Township assembly plant, also in Michigan, will take an additional week of downtime the week of Sept. 27 and is expected to resume production the week of Oct. 4. The plant has been down since July 19 and was previously expected to resume production in late September. Lansing Delta Township builds the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave SUVs.
• GM’s Lansing Grand River assembly plant, another Michigan facility, has extended downtime for production of the Chevrolet Camaro and Cadillac Blackwing sports cars through the week of Sept. 27. Output of the Camaro and Blackwing was previously scheduled to resume on Sept. 20.
• Outside of the U.S., GM has stretched downtime through to the week of Oct. 11 at its CAMI assembly plant in Canada, at its San Louis Potosi assembly plant in Mexico, and at its Ramos assembly plant, also in Mexico.
CAMI makes the Chevrolet Equinox compact SUV, San Luis Petosi makes the Equinox and the GMC Terrain compact SUV, and Ramos makes the Equinox as well as the Chevrolet Blazer SUV.
“We remain confident in our team’s ability to continue finding creative solutions to minimize the impact on our highest-demand and capacity constrained vehicles,” the GM spokesman said.
By Michael Cowden, Michael@SteelMarketUpdate.com
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/SMU_MC_headshot-150x150.png)
Michael Cowden
Read more from Michael CowdenLatest in Steel Markets
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/coils2.png)
US steel imports slipped in August after rising in July
July represents the second-lowest monthly rate for steel imports so far this year.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/steel_trade.png)
CRU Insight: Decarbonization will reshape global steel trade flow
This CRU Insight explores how decarbonization will play a significant role in redefining steel trade patterns by shifting regional competitiveness and increasing steel demand needs.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/price_question.png)
Steel Summit 2024: Leading analysts forecast coming year for steel
Leading industry analysts on Monday discussed steel prices and how they will be impacted by trade policy, consolidation, mill discipline, November’s elections, and more.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/AISI.png)
AISI: Raw steel output jumps, capability surpasses 80%
Having risen for three weeks in a row, weekly production is now at the highest rate seen since February 2023.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/worldsteel_logo.png)
Monthly steel output falls in China, rises in RoW
Global steel output fell 5% in July according to World Steel Association’s (worldsteel) latest release. Total steel mill production around the world tallied up to 152.8 million metric tons (mt) for the month of July, the second-lowest monthly rate seen this year.