General Motors CEO will keep “open mind” on future of plants

General Motors CEO Mary Barra on Wednesday vowed to keep an “open mind” regarding the future of an Ohio plant that will lose vehicle production, but cautioned the automaker has excess capacity and did not mention the company was reconsidering the plan.

Barra came under pressure from Ohio’s two U.S. senators and other lawmakers who want the automaker to move production of a vehicle from Mexico or construct electric vehicles at the Lordstown Assembly plant in their state that the automaker has stated it intends to shut down.

“I want to make sure that the workforce is aware that there are limitations and we do have an overcapacity across the country,” Barra stated, urging workers at plants set to close to take offers of GM jobs in other parts.

In a brief Reuters interview following the meetings Wednesday, Barra stated it would be very expensive to shift production from Mexico of the Chevrolet Blazer due to be released in the next few days.

U.S. President Donald Trump informed the automaker last week that the company had “better” find a new vehicle to construct at the plant in Ohio, which could be important to his re-election chances in 2020.

Asked about Trump’s criticism of GM, Barra did not directly answer but stated she acknowledge the strong reaction in Washington.