General Motors’ Bowling Green Assembly plant was damaged after a tornado touched down in Kentucky last weekend, forcing the automaker to temporarily close the facility until the necessary repairs can be made.
The plant, which is the only facility that builds the C8 Corvette Stingray, may come back online sooner than expected thanks to help from the automaker’s Factory Zero and Spring Hill plants. According to The Detroit Free Press, the automaker has moved construction cranes from the Factory Zero and Spring Hill construction sites to Bowling Green to help assist with the post-tornado repairs. Some building material was also moved from Factory Zero to Kentucky this week.
Jason Watson, president of the UAW Local 2164 branch that represents Bowling Green Assembly plant workers, told The Detroit Free Press that GM is first focusing on performing exterior repairs to the plant before turning its attention to some of the interior damage that occurred. The automaker confirmed Monday the plant had suffered roof damage and a small fire, while an employee entrance was also left in disrepair.
“There’s all kinds of visible damage throughout the building and structural things,” Watson told the newspaper. “The building itself is what they’re trying to concentrate on because there are multiple areas of the roof that were compromised and various siding surrounding the plant. They can’t determine yet if there’s damage to equipment or line, they’re not turning it on yet.”
GM is currently performing major renovations at Factory Zero as it converts the site to a dedicated EV production facility. Similarly, Spring Hill is undergoing major renovations to prepare for production of the Cadillac Lyriq and perhaps a future Acura electric crossover as well.
It’s unclear when production of the C8 Corvette Stingray will restart at Bowling Green Assembly, however a spokesperson said the production shutdown is so far only in place for this week.
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Comments
Glad everyone is OK. Just hope this is not an omen of the line being fraught with delays and shutdowns as in previous years. Don’t need another reason for market prices and dealer markups to keep going up.
You mean “Price Gouging” by the dealerships nationwide? It’s a sick look by ANY definition.
OH BOY. WHEN ARE THE LOCUSTS COMING. ???? The Bowling Green Corvette manufacturing can’t catch a break……NOw U might have to watch out for a Corvette that’s made on a Monday or a Friday like in the 70s man.. !!
They should extend the 2022 production to Sept 2022. Folks who have order in or are ready to be built want their cars. First and foremost though the people down there need help. I can wait for my car but GM needs to think this through!! Or it will be like last year folks ordered a 2021 waited or didn’t get filled and recently got 2022 cars.
Send the cranes to help the poor people.
Yes Rich! I’m one of those people waiting since ordered late January. Just got news this weekend, that it’s scheduled for production next week. Oh well, but you know they’ll do everything possible to get things going again. A small sacrifice in time for me, as opposed to what the poor residents of the storm affected areas have lost. Long rebuild process ahead of them. I just have to wait a little longer. Shucks, I’ve waited this long already. Did a lot of projects and yard work this summer to keep my mind occupied. Didn’t realize mental effect of ordering a special car like this and having to wait for it. Bought my C7 off a dealer lot. I’m getting closer!!!
Hey Bill don’t feel bad my car was supposed to be built last week. Now this week. Buy the way good luck.