GM cuts Toyota ties in US joint venture
Unable to reach agreement on auto plant operated jointly since 1983. Pontiac Vibe to go out of production in August.
DETROIT (Reuters) -- General Motors Corp. Monday cut its operational ties to a northern California auto plant it has operated in a joint-venture with Toyota Motor Corp. since 1983.
GM (GMGMQ), which has been operating in a U.S. government-sponsored bankruptcy since the start of the month, said it had been unable to reach an agreement with Toyota (TM) on a new production plan for the Fremont, Calif. plant.
"After extensive analysis, GM and Toyota could not reach an agreement on a future product plan that made sense for all parties," GM said in a written statement.
GM and Toyota have been 50-50 partners in the joint-venture plant commonly known by its acronym NUMMI for the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc.
The Pontiac Vibe -- the only GM vehicle built at the plant -- will go out of production in August. Toyota uses the plant to build the Corolla sedan and the Tacoma compact pickup truck. 
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