GM Halts Ramos Arizpe Production for 20-Day Maintenance

General Motors has initiated a temporary production stoppage at its Ramos Arizpe complex in Coahuila, prompting a wider technical shutdown expected to affect between 25,000 and 35,000 workers across the regional automotive sector. The suspension, which began this week and will continue until after Jan. 4, is linked to scheduled maintenance and will last nearly 20 days—longer than typical year-end pauses in previous years.

Labor union estimates indicate the initial impact is concentrated at GM’s Ramos Arizpe plants, where production lines were halted on Monday, Dec. 15. The stoppage directly affects between 5,000 and 6,000 GM employees, with the number expected to rise as local automotive suppliers gradually align their operations with GM’s pause, creating a cascading effect across the supply chain.

“It is the longest stoppage. It starts this week and ends after Jan. 4. It is a temporary suspension of activities, and to some extent it is traditional, as it occurs every year and is not linked to market demand or production volumes,” said Tereso Medina, state leader of the Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM) in Coahuila. He added that, while year-end pauses are common in the industry, this shutdown stands out for its duration. The union does not interpret the measure as a signal of weakening demand or reduced output expectations for GM or the wider automotive sector in the state.

Medina confirmed that other companies in the sector will reduce or suspend operations in the coming days, potentially raising the total number of affected workers to nearly 35,000, including supplier plants dependent on GM’s production schedule.

Union leaders emphasized that the stoppage allows maintenance work that is difficult to perform while plants operate at full capacity. During the suspension, GM will conduct inspections, adjustments, and servicing of its production lines in preparation for operations resuming in January.

Compensation arrangements for affected employees have already been established. Jesús Berino, also a CTM leader, said workers covered by the technical stoppage will receive 65% of their salary while not working, with full social and economic benefits maintained throughout the shutdown.

“Workers will receive 65% of their salary during the December and early January stoppage, and their social and economic benefits will be fully maintained,” Berino Granados said.