The continuing microchip shortage has forced automakers to idle production facilities around the globe, including General Motors, which has curtailed production of the Chevy Trailblazer and Buick Encore GX at its plant in Bupyeong, South Korea. Luckily, it was recently announced that General Motors will once again resume full production of the Chevy Trailblazer and Buick Encore GX in Korea.
According to a recent post from The Detroit News, General Motors said that it is bringing its Bupyeong 1 Assembly plant in South Korea back to full capacity on May 31st. The Bupyeoung facility was forced to operate at 50 percent capacity on April 26th as a result of the microchip shortage. To note, the South Korean facility builds Chevy Trailblazer and Buick Encore GX models for export to the U.S. market.
The Bupyeong facility first opened in 1962, and is located in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, South Korea. The facility also produces the Buick Encore, Chevy Malibu, and Chevy Trax.
2021 Trailblazer on the line at GM’s Bupyeong Plant
As covered previously, GM will also resume production of the Chevy Camaro at its facility in Lansing Grand River, Michigan earlier than expected, set to commence on June 21st. The facility was idled May 10th, and also produces the Cadillac CT4 and Cadillac CT5, both of which will resume production on June 28th.
Other GM production facilities impacted by the global microchip shortage include Fairfax Assembly in Kansas, CAMI Assembly in Ontario, Ramos Arizpe Assembly in Mexico, and San Luis Potosi in Mexico.
It was recently estimated that General Motors had lost some 278,000 units worth of production as a result of the microchip shortage. To keep its profitable full-size SUVs and pickup trucks rolling off the line, GM has adopted a “build-shy” strategy whereby unfinished models are produced and stockpiled as they await further chips to arrive for completion.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more General Motors production news, Chevrolet Trailblazer news, Buick Encore GX news, Chevrolet news, Buick news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
This is good news and getting all manufacturers back up to speed will be a good thing. But what’s going on in the car world right now is just silly. People are now panic buying vehicles like they were buying toilet paper a year ago. Our dealership is more busy than anything I’ve ever seen in my 19 years of working at dealerships. It’s just nuts. And are dealers taking advantage of this panic buying? You bet because the majority of buyers are silly enough pay up just to get the car!
If you are in the market for a vehicle now but can wait about 6-8 months, do yourself a favor and wait.
I’m glad to hear that the Trailblazer and the Buick Encore GX are mfg. in South Korea. I’ll put them on my list for
“DO NOT BUY” LIST !!!!!!!
So why does this say “2 comments” and yet there is nothing showing?
When does GM end production of the 2021 Buick Encore GX ?