General Motors has halted production at two key U.S. plants, leaving about 6,000 workers in Michigan and Kentucky on temporary layoff through the holiday season and into early 2026.
The decision affects the Flint Assembly plant, GM’s oldest continuously operating facility since 1947, and the Bowling Green plant in Kentucky, home to Chevrolet Corvette production. These shutdowns pause output of high-profit trucks and sports cars amid market adjustments and facility upgrades.
Historic Flint Assembly Pauses Production
Flint Assembly in Michigan, a vital site for heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks, will idle roughly 5,000 hourly workers starting Christmas Eve. Operations remain suspended until January 26, 2026, far exceeding standard holiday breaks.
These trucks rank among GM’s highest-margin products, with steady demand persisting. The extended closure, however, prioritizes internal facility work over continuous output.
GM cites “planned maintenance and project work” for the downtime. A spokesperson noted the period allows completion of essential updates, though the length suggests more than routine servicing, possibly major infrastructure overhauls.
Analysts view the “project work” as preparation for next-generation heavy-duty trucks, including potential engine upgrades like a sixth-generation small-block V8. This positions Flint to sustain production of modern combustion-engine vehicles long-term.
Corvette Lines Fall Silent in Kentucky
Bowling Green, the sole Corvette assembly site, stopped production on December 15, affecting about 1,100 workers until January 12, 2026. The nearly month-long break quiets the plant through the New Year.
This pause stems from rising dealership inventories of 2025 and 2026 Corvettes. Recent reports indicate approximately 4,981 of the 2026 models and 1,417 of the 2025 models are currently in inventory. Winter slowdowns in sports car sales prompted GM to curb output, avoiding excess stock that could erode the model’s premium pricing.
The shutdown also halts the on-site Performance Build Center, which hand-assembles high-performance engines for top Cadillac and Corvette variants. Supply of these specialized powerplants tightens accordingly.
Union Response and Worker Impact
UAW Local 2164 President Charles Laster in Bowling Green assured members the layoffs are temporary, with full workforce return expected. Such reassurances counter fears of permanent cuts seen in other sectors.
Timing amplifies hardship: pre-Christmas layoffs disrupt family plans and finances for thousands. Eligible UAW workers receive supplemental pay atop state unemployment to offset lost wages, yet the empty factories weigh psychologically during festivities.
These actions differ sharply from recent permanent EV job reductions. GM cut about 1,000 positions at Detroit’s Factory Zero and other electric sites due to slower EV adoption, while internal combustion lines like these remain robust.
Legacy and Strategic Outlook
Flint’s history underscores the event’s scale. Post-World War II, it endured industry shifts, even building the first Corvette in 1953 before that production relocated. As GM’s longest-running plant, its five-week silence marks a pivotal moment.
The dual halts reflect GM’s effort to align production with demand, control year-end costs, and upgrade assets for 2026. Flint’s return may unveil retooling changes, boosting truck output that funds broader transitions.
Workers and plants now await January restarts amid economic flux. These extended breaks highlight manufacturing’s vulnerability, balancing short-term pauses against long-term viability in a shifting auto landscape.
Sources:
“GM Is Shutting Two Of Its Most Important Factories For Over A Month.” CarScoops, 15 Dec 2025.
“GM Halts 3/4-Ton and One-Ton Truck Assembly, Lays Off Workers.” MotorBiscuit, 13 Dec 2025.
“Corvette production pauses as Bowling Green plant plans extended holiday break.” The Auto Wire, 16 Dec 2025.
“Factory Shutdowns Raise Concerns Over GM’s Truck Production.” MI Tech News, 14 Dec 2025.