Last Kappa Roadster Built Today as GM Shutters Delaware Plant
Today marks the last day of production at General Motors’ Boxwood Road assembly plant.
The 62-year-old factory near Newport was a victim of the automaker’s restructuring that has claimed tens of thousands of jobs and will close or idle 14 plants in the next three years.
GM said June 1 – the same day it filed for bankruptcy protection – that it would close the local plant by the end of July. Workers at Boxwood Road built the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters.
The announcement of the closure was little surprise, since GM had already said it would sell Saturn and cut Pontiac from its lineup of brands. But the short timeline for closing the plant “shocked” employees, said James Graves, a 29-year veteran of the factory who works in general assembly.
“It was so quick, you know?” Graves said. “That’s what hurt everybody.”
GM spokesman John Raut said the plant’s final vehicle – a silver Solstice – was expected to roll off the assembly line this morning.
The plant was hosting what it called a “farewell celebration” this morning and afternoon for workers and retirees.
Graves, 55, said he would bring his 93-year-old father, who retired from the plant in 1981, to the event.
“To me, it’s not a celebration,” Graves said. “It’s a sad day. It’s like a funeral.”
SaturnFans.com Links: Last Kappa Roadster Built Today as GM Shutters Delaware Plant
The 62-year-old factory near Newport was a victim of the automaker’s restructuring that has claimed tens of thousands of jobs and will close or idle 14 plants in the next three years.
GM said June 1 – the same day it filed for bankruptcy protection – that it would close the local plant by the end of July. Workers at Boxwood Road built the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters.
The announcement of the closure was little surprise, since GM had already said it would sell Saturn and cut Pontiac from its lineup of brands. But the short timeline for closing the plant “shocked” employees, said James Graves, a 29-year veteran of the factory who works in general assembly.
“It was so quick, you know?” Graves said. “That’s what hurt everybody.”
GM spokesman John Raut said the plant’s final vehicle – a silver Solstice – was expected to roll off the assembly line this morning.
The plant was hosting what it called a “farewell celebration” this morning and afternoon for workers and retirees.
Graves, 55, said he would bring his 93-year-old father, who retired from the plant in 1981, to the event.
“To me, it’s not a celebration,” Graves said. “It’s a sad day. It’s like a funeral.”
SaturnFans.com Links: Last Kappa Roadster Built Today as GM Shutters Delaware Plant
