The closing will cut 30,000 hourly jobs, up from its original plan to trim 25,000, with many of the eliminations coming as soon as next year, despite job protection provisions of its union contract that runs through September 2007.

The company said the plan is aimed at saving $7 billion a year by the end of 2006.

The plants being closed include Oklahoma City, and the Lansing, Mich., Craft Centre in 2006, and Doraville, Ga., in 2008.

This city sure better go high-tech before too long. With Delta and GM cutting out, Atlanta's growth is sure to by stymied.

On the bright side, maybe GM'll stop painting their hydrogen vehicle fantasy scape and get down to improving fuel economy and safety like they should have years ago.

-janelane, anti-trade deficit