GM reportedly in talks to sell Flint truck plant

DETROIT - General Motors Corp. is reportedly discussing selling its medium-duty truck unit to Isuzu Motors.

Mark Hawkins, chairman of United Auto Workers Local 598 in Flint, told the Detroit Free Press that GM is negotiating with the Japanese automaker over the commercial trucks built at the Flint Assembly plant. Local 598 represents hourly workers at the plant, which has a total of 522 hourly and salaried workers.

Hawkins said the potential deal would include a provision keeping work at the Flint plant until the end of 2014.

A union official confirmed the report to The Associated Press, adding that the union was notified of the discussions last week, but declined further comment. The union official did not want to be named because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

GM spokesman Tony Sapienza would not say if the company is talking to Isuzu about a possible sale.

"We regularly work with many businesses and review many strategic options," he told the AP Monday. "We've made no announcement regarding Flint Assembly or any reports circulating in the news."

GM is looking to cut costs as it uses $13.4 billion in government loans to streamline operations and achieve long-term viability. A week ago, the company said will cut 2,000 jobs at two plants and halt production for several weeks at nine other U.S. factories, and one in Canada.

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