Auto Briefs

Auto Briefs
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070224/AUTO01/702240317/1148

DETROIT -- General Motors Corp. is recalling almost all of its new 2007
Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia sport-utility vehicles because front air bags
may fail to deploy in a crash. The recall includes 13,032 of the SUVs built
from August to this month, the automaker told the U.S. National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration. It doesn't include those built after Feb. 2,
GM spokesman Alan Adler said Friday. Computer controls for the air bags will
be reprogrammed in a procedure that takes about 25 minutes and will be done
at no cost to owners, Adler said.

UAW approves plant rules at 37 facilities

Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler union members at 37 U.S. plants have approved
new agreements that require more flexible hours and fewer workers as they
try to keep factories from closing amid slipping car and trucks sales. The
United Auto Workers union is ceding gains it won throughout its history that
ensured job security and full employment. Ford, Chrysler and General Motors
Corp. have national contracts with the UAW that expire Sept. 14. The drive
for improving factory operations is happening separately from those
negotiations as the automakers press their case at individual plants.

GM temporarily idles two Michigan plants

General Motors Corp. will temporarily shut down assembly lines at two
Michigan plants Feb. 26 as part of planned production cuts. The Orion plant,
which makes the Pontiac G6 sedan, will be idled for three weeks and the
Lansing Grand River plant that makes the Cadillac CTS and STS sedans, and
SRX crossover sport- utility vehicle, will be closed for one week, GM
spokesman Tom Wickham said Friday.