GM employees in Janesville are digesting official word from the company that the plant will close by December 23rd.
Plant spokeswoman Mary Fanning says a GM official told employees this morning the decision is based on the declining sales of full-sized SUVs. Fanning says many GM models had sales increases, but SUV models continue to drop.
The work stoppage will impact about 1,150 hourly and 130 salaried employees, but hundreds more at local suppliers.
GM officials also apologized to workers about the decision being leaked to the media late last week.
WCLO's Kyle Geissler contributed this report.