2005 GMC Safari Overview

"The men and women of Baltimore Assembly are proud, hard working people who have done a great job of building the Chevy Astro and

Although the assembly plant is now shuttered, GM made it clear prior to closure that it would remain in the greater Baltimore area, via its state-of-the-art transmission plant in White Marsh, Md. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

GMC Safari over the years," Spielman added. "Everyone at Baltimore Assembly should take great pride in their many accomplishments and years of dedication to these products."

No uplifting words, however, could take away the sting each employee would have felt when their job was over, nor would it have replaced the capital infusion these jobs have added to the Baltimore economy. The automaker made it clear that it would remain in the greater Baltimore area, though, via its state-of-the-art transmission plant in White Marsh, Md.

Nevertheless, GM, like all automakers in today's marketplace, faces

"The men and women of Baltimore Assembly are proud, hard working people who have done a great job of building the Chevy Astro and GMC Safari over the years," added Spielman. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

challenging financial stress, and the plant closure was necessary to safeguard its continued viability in the market, and the rest of its 325,000 strong global workforce.

GM has given no word as to what it will do with the 73.7 hectare (182 acre) Baltimore Assembly plant site, nor its approximate 300,000 square meters (3.2 million square feet) of buildings. The facility opened its doors in 1935, originally producing a variety of Chevrolet cars and trucks. In 1984 the Baltimore plant was converted for exclusive production of the Astro and Safari vans.