AM General sells CAP plant, over 400 jobs saved

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- More than 400 AM General employees went under new management Thursday morning.

In a press release, AM General announced that it would be selling its commercial assembly plant in Mishawaka to Silicon Valley’s SF Motors.

“It’s bittersweet thing,” said Don Brady, chairman of Local 5 AM General Facility.

AM General has been servicing and employing people in the community for the past 15 years. However, this move does not eliminate jobs, rather preserves them.

“We are confident that SF Motors is the right long-term owner to support the CAP, as well as the South Bend community,” wrote Andy Hove, AM General President and CEO.

Brady said that he is hoping SF Motors will keep its word, especially regarding long-term work, seeing that many of the employees would have been looking for other job opportunities in four months.

“They were looking at a layoff in October if it wasn’t for this work,” said Brady. “It was going to be an extensive layoff and now they’ve got a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel.”

According to the press release, SF Motors is investing $30 million worth of upgrades to the plant.

The plans and timeline for production are unknown. However, SF Motors wrote in a statement that it would launch an “American-made electric vehicle in the near future.”

Brady said that he and the other 430 employees affected by this deal are staying optimistic.

“I’d just like the community to know that UAW has a strong solidarity base and we’re not planning on going anywhere,” said Brady.