General Motors to Cease Production at Ecuador Factory

General Motors’ factory in Ecuador will cease production on Friday, which will be impacted by increasing pressure from local competitors.​ However, automakers will continue to sell vehicles in Andean countries despite the closure of their manufacturing operations.

Closure Announcement:

In April, General Motors announced plans to close its production facilities in Ecuador and neighboring Colombia. The OBB plant located in Quito is particularly significant, accounting for 51% of car production in Ecuador.

Impact on Workers:

The impending shutdown raises concerns for the factory’s 320 workers, who now face uncertainties regarding their employment and livelihoods.

Official figures indicate that Ecuador’s unemployment rate was 4.1% in the first quarter of the year, revealing a challenging job market for those losing their positions.

Worker Perspectives:

Antonio Oramas, a welding team leader who has been with General Motors since 2004, expressed mixed feelings about the closure.

“I have mixed feelings – I’m welding my last truck for General Motors in Ecuador,” he stated. “It will affect us a lot. Not all of us will have the same opportunity for a new job.”