GM to shut plant amid shortage of Japanese parts

General Motors has suspended production at a facility in Louisiana due to a shortage of parts stemming from the natural disaster in Japan, the automaker said Thursday. The Shreveport Assembly plant, where GM makes the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, will be closed for the week of March 21, according to a statement.

A GM spokesman said the automaker hopes to resume normal operations soon, but could not say when. "We're really evaluating the situation day by day," he said.

For all those who say, "Who cares about Japan, they can rebuild", this is one example of how the disaster there will affect the American economy and workers.

http://money.cnn.com/2011/03/17/autos/gm_suspends_production_japan_supply_shortage/index.htm

Also this is a strategic move by GM to shift more focus on the more popular Silverado. That's what was said on my local news station anyway.

Having worked for a company in Japan.. their history was a silk factory until
WWII then they became a bomb factory after the war they started making electronic components... they are down with no production out of Japan for now but they will rebuild. I dont work there anymore but keep in touch with those that do. BUT they are a sole source for some Sony playstation parts and some Panasonic TV parts Honda and many other companies that have plant or production in the US YES this does effect us here but I also care about the people that are in a place I cant even believe... They will rebuild in the mean time the world will be effective. The job market in the US has to be hit hard yet again.. I care yes but I also have to think about america and the unemployment that was here before and will become worse now. It does not mean I am heartless just real..

This was only a matter of time. They're already estimating it could take weeks before the Japanese get the problem regarding the leaking radiation under control.

It's already been estimated that it could take more than a month before production on their automotive industry could ramp back up. In the meantime, expect the economy to suffer as workers are laid off, plants are shut down and the economy starts to shift downward.