General Motors Corp. says it will cut another 250,000 vehicles from itsfirst-quarter production schedule by temporarily closing 21 factoriesacross North America.
The move affects most plants in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Many will be shut down for the whole month of January.
Spokesman Tony Sapienza said normal production would be around 750,000 cars and trucks for the quarter.
GM and nearly all automakers who sell in the U.S. are mired in the worst sales slump in 26 years.
Cash-strapped GM is seeking government loans to stay in operationbeyond the end of the year. The White House says it may tap the $700billion Wall Street bailout fund to help GM and Chrysler stay inbusiness after the Senate blocked a measure to provide $14 billion inimmediate loans.