Through a statement, General Motors announced that starting today, Friday, April 26, the dismantling of its assembly plant in Colombia, Colmotores, begins after almost seventy years of operation.
The decision also affects the Ecuador factory, OBB, which will stop operating at the end of August of this year. The reason for the decision is the transformation of its business in both countries towards the marketing, sale and after-sales of vehicles..
Now you can follow us on our WhatsApp Channel and in Facebook.
General Motors (GM) reported that operations in both Colombia and Ecuador will transition towards a model of national marketing companies to support the launch of next-generation vehicles, which includes a world-class portfolio that is supported by a Exceptional customer experience and after-sales services.
“Manufacturing operations will cease at the Colmotores de Colombia plant and the disassembly process begins today with a reduced team. At the OBB plant in Ecuador, manufacturing will cease at the end of August 2024,” the statement reads.
The Colmotores plant was operating with just 9% of its capacity, while the one in Ecuador operates with 13%.. “The transformation of operations into national vehicle marketing and after-sales service companies aims to respond to the challenges of the growing fragmentation of markets, as well as the underutilization of the Colmotores and GM OBB plants,” the statement added.
The Ministry of Labor must issue an authorization to dismiss the hundreds of factory workers. “In accordance with current labor regulations, we inform you that, simultaneously with this communication, your employer, General Motors Colmotores SA or the Colmotores SAS Industrial Free Trade Zone, Zoficol, They are filing with the Ministry of Labor the corresponding authorizations for collective dismissal of all of their workers due to total and definitive termination of work.”the statement reads.
Zoficol is a stamping plant opened in 2013 for Chevrolet Sail and Cobalt models, whose task was to export stamped parts to Latin America.. The factory operated with six robots dedicated to the mechanization of the welding finishing processes on vehicles, had two high-tonnage presses (2,250 and 1,000 tons) used in the stamping process, and had 10 robots responsible for performing the engraving. or union of stamped steel panels.
In any case, the sale of Chevrolet brand vehicles will continue in Colombia and the Chevyplan savings plan will continue. In addition, General Motors will maintain its presence in the country through companies and businesses such as GMICA-Isuzu.
“The company understands the impact this decision will have on affected employees, and we will support them during their transition. General Motors will maintain its historic presence in Colombia and Ecuador through its Chevrolet brand and its solid network of companies and businesses, such as GMICA-Isuzu, GM Financial and Chevyplan, as well as its commercial partners,” the press release reads. .
Finally, the company indicated that several options will be studied to determine the most sustainable way to bring the next generation of vehicles to the market, and stressed that the marketing model is ideal to compete in Ecuador and Colombia.
Upon learning of General Motors’ announcement, the Ministry of Labor assured in a statement that “it will guarantee the protection of the labor rights of the workers of the vehicle assembler, General Motors in Colombia and will also have rigorous monitoring to ensure compliance.” with due process.”
In such a way that the head of the Portfolio, Gloria Inés Ramírez, ordered the Inspection, Surveillance and Control department to carry out a series of visits to the plant to review the conditions of the plant and verify that the standards required by law are met..
