Auto closures threaten Del.'s economy

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By William Ehart

The auto industry has dealt tiny Delaware a big blow.

Next month, the first state will watch its last auto plant shut down.

General Motors said Monday that Wilmington's Boxwood Road assembly plant, which makes the Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky and Opel Roadster sports cars, will close at the end of July.

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Once-mighty GM, which filed for bankruptcy protection Monday, also said it would close eight other U.S. plants and idle three others to slash production and cut labor costs. The GM powertrain plant in Spotsylvania County, Va., will close at the end of next year, and a portion of its production will move to GM's Powertrain Baltimore Transmission plant in White Marsh, Md.