GM Overtime to boost production

Chevrolet Cavaliers and Pontiac Sunfires are selling strong, leading to the extra shifts.
THE VINDICATOR, YOUNGSTOWN
LORDSTOWN -- Five Saturday overtime shifts have been scheduled at the General Motors' Lordstown Assembly Plant to boost production.
The Chevrolet Cavaliers and Pontiac Sunfires made there are selling strong, said Tom Mock, a plant spokesman.
The field supply, or amount of cars at dealers, is 25 days for Cavalier and 41 for Sunfire. The normal field supply is 60 days.
The extra work is good news because other plants have lost production because of slow sales, leadership of United Auto Workers Local 1112 told members in a flier.
The Lordstown plant began shipping 2003 Cavaliers and Sunfires two weeks ago, and they should be available at dealers soon.
Overtime at the plant is scheduled for Sept. 28, Oct. 12, Oct. 26, Nov. 9 and Dec. 14.
All three shifts are to work those days, so other work can be done other Saturdays, Mock said.
This work will include preventive maintenance and preparation for the $500 million plant overhaul that was announced recently.
GM and plant officials are looking at how to begin the project, which will include a new body shop and paint shop. The plant is to begin building a new small-car model in 2004 but will continue making the Cavalier and Sunfire while the plant is redesigned.