For decades, the Detroit automakers have shut their factories down for several weeks in the summer, using the time to retool and gear up for the next model year. In more recent years, GM, Chrysler and Ford have adopted more flexible production methods, making those shutdowns less necessary.
But GM is the first of the big 3 to go this far -- it'll be keeping 9 of its 11 assembly plants going all summer. Paul Eisenstein runs the web site the-detroit-bureau-dot-com. He says it's largely because they're selling more cars.
EISENSTEIN: These guys are now saying, we can't keep up with demand. That suggests that they believe the slow recovery of the American market is finally beginning to pick of pace.
Gm's stamping plant in Parma will remain open this summer. The Lordstown plant is among those scheduled to close for several weeks as it gears up to produce the new Chevy Cruze. The compact Cruze is believed to be vital to Gm's future.