GM Reverses Production Cut for Volt

Earlier this week General Motors Co. said would add another week of production downtime for the Hamtramck, Mich., plant that makes the Chevrolet Volt, citing high inventories of unsold cars.

Now GM says it is restoring that week of production and ending the current work suspension one week earlier than planned. The company says demand for the extended-range hybrid surged to nearly 2,300 units in March from about 1,000 in February. GM now predicts monthly sales will top 3,000 units this spring.

Analysts figure high fuel prices are helping drive interest in the $39,000 car which, for drivers who make relatively short trips, can run exclusively on cheaper electric power.