GM to End Blazer/Jimmy Production and Close New Jersey Plant

Closure of Plant Ends 67 Years of GM Production

Less than a month after announcing that its rear-drive Astro and Safari mid-vans would be discontinued and the Baltimore

Another classic General Motors duo is coming to the end, the Chevy Blazer and GMC Jimmy will soon cease production. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

plant that builds them shuttered, General Motors is ending production of another "classic" duo, the Chevy Blazer and GMC Jimmy, and closing the Linden assembly plant that produces them.

Sales of the now outdated sport utility vehicles have been on the decline lately, and with no replacement planned, no alternative vehicle to substitute it at the 67 year old New Jersey facility, and a current need for GM to downsize operations in order to meet financial targets, the end was inevitable.

All salaried workers at the plant have been recommended to seek jobs at one of GMs other locations, but that only makes up 110 out of 1,760 workers. The remaining 1,650 hourly

GM will be closing the Linden assembly plant that produces the two now outdated sport utility vehicles. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

employees will be looking for work outside of GM. GM has been paring down staff as sales have been dropping off, and it will most likely shut down the operation ahead of the original summer of 2005 final date, according to a Detroit News report.

GM spokesman Stefan Weinmann, however, denied any early shutdown, stating that while there have been and will continue to be temporary shutdowns due to lack of demand, that his employer has not changed the original scheduled date to shutter the facility.

Sales of the Blazer and Jimmy have been so slow that shutdowns have been numerous, with an average of two weeks of production for every month this year.