NEW YORK (AP) -- General Motors Corp. says it will shut down most of its operations at its metal stamping plant in suburban Grand Rapids, Mich., earlier than originally anticipated.
GM spokesman Chris Lee says employees at the Wyoming plant were told last week that the plant's stamping operations will end June 26. He says a small number of tool-and-die employees will be retained through the end of 2009, though he did not know how many.
In October, GM first announced plans to close the plant by the end of this year, but more aggressive cost cutting and the industry downturn are prompting the automaker to close it sooner.
Lee says the plant employs just under 800 workers. GM has said it will cut 47,000 jobs worldwide by the end of 2009.
