GM to end Chevy Cruze production at U.S. factory

CHICAGO, March 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. automaker General Motors (GM) is set to end production of the Chevy Cruze sedan at its Lordstown plant in Ohio on Wednesday, the first of five plants it plans to idle this year in North America.

A GM spokesperson said on Monday the company is "ahead of the production schedule," adding that production has been scheduled to end on Friday, but now it looks like it will finish up Cruze production on Wednesday.

Last week, the United Automobile Workers (UAW) union sued GM over its decision to halt production and eliminate thousands of jobs in U.S. auto plants, claiming that the move violated the union's labor contract. In response, GM said it does not violate any provisions, but promised to work with the UAW on solutions to business challenges.

GM announced in November a major restructuring plan, the closure of five plants in North America and the reduction of its salaried workforce by 15 percent.