WASHINGTON (AFP)--Troubled U.S. auto giant General Motors plans
to close some of its U.S. plants for up to nine weeks this summer
in a cost-cutting measure to counter slumping sales, the Detroit
News reported Wednesday.
The embattled auto firm, which has been given $13.4 billion by
the U.S. government, is set to shutter the plants as part of a bid
to reduce production by around 170,000 vehicles this year.
An announcement is expected Friday the paper said.
GM spokesman Chris Lee said the company would first announce any
closures to staff, but refused to say whether it had plans to do
so, describing the reports as "speculative."
"We have made not made any down-working announcements," he
said.
Auto workers union representatives were not immediately
available for comment.
The news come after the U.S. government on Tuesday agreed to
lend a further $5 billion to GM as it works on a long-term
viability plan.
President Barack Obama's administration has given GM until June
1 to present an aggressive restructuring plan, after the government
rejected its previous proposals in late March.
The firm has said it wants to avoid filing for bankruptcy
protection, but is preparing for it nevertheless.
The automakers has also announced it will slash 1,600 white
collar jobs by May 1.