GM Begins Salaries Layoffs

General Motors Co. is expected to begin a process today to eliminate roughly 8,000 salaried positions in North America, sources tell Automotive News.

The cuts are part of cost-cutting plan announced in November to shutter five factories and shed 15%—or about 8,000—of its 54,000 salaries employees in North America. At the time, GM said it would turn to layoffs if necessary to achieve its target.

The company so far has trimmed about 2,300 jobs through voluntary buyouts and dropped another 1,500 contract workers, according to AN. That leaves about 4,200 position to eliminate.

AN describes the cutbacks as the largest at GM since the company emerged from bankruptcy in 2009. Ford Motor Co. is beginning its own global round of staff cuts. Both companies say they need to become leaner as they reposition themselves for a future of electrified vehicles and a shift in how consumer use them.