A month after workers went on strike at the General Motors Orion Plant, news was of a different nature last week.
The automaker announced internally last week that the Orion Plant will begin some production of the Chevrolet Malibu line.
‘It’s been a long time coming,? said plant spokesperson Rosemary McBride. ‘The workers are really excited about it.?
Reports over the weekend said the Orion plant could produce anywhere from 10 to 25-percent of the Malibu line, but McBride said those estimations are premature.
‘The marketplace will really dictate our production,? she said.
The Malibu is built primarily at a GM plant in Kansas City and Orion will help with the overflow production.
The line, considered one of the company’s most promising vehicles, could add up to 300 new jobs to the plant over the next six months. This could bring the plant to over 3,000 workers.
Earlier this year, the plant received a tax-abatement from Orion Township, with the notion that work done to improve the facility might help bring in a new product.
‘It’s a real plus for Orion,? McBride said.
The current GM contract with the plant calls for production of the G-6 through 2013.
Work will begin on the new vehicle starting Dec. 3. It will be the first Chevy produced by the plant.