Weeklong shutdown for Lordstown GM Chevy Cruze plant

LORDSTOWN, Ohio - A northeast Ohio General Motors Co. plant is shut down this week, partly because of slower sales of the Chevrolet Cruze compact.

GM said another reason for the shutdown scheduled to begin Monday at the Lordstown factory was plentiful supplies of small cars made by Japanese competitors.

The automaker says operations will resume next week at the plant, about 50 miles southeast of Cleveland.

The Lordstown facility had been running around the clock with overtime shifts on Saturdays to keep up with strong Cruze sales during the summer.

Small-car sales typically drop in the final quarter of the year. Falling gas prices also may have softened demand for the Cruze.