GM announced today that it will halt production of the two-seat sports car during the week of Oct. 6, then reduce line speed and lay off some employees. It is the first inventory-related closure of the Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green, Ky., since at least 1995.

"We've weathered a lot of downturns," said Eldon Renaud, president of UAW Local 2164 in Bowling Green. "But I think this one has finally lasted long enough and people are concerned enough about the economy that it's probably having a minor effect."

It is unclear when the plant last closed for oversupply reasons. Though the plant went from two shifts to one in the 1980s, Renaud says, he can't remember a production shutdown since he arrived in 1981.

When Corvette assembly resumes the week of Oct. 13, the assembly line speed will drop from 18.5 vehicles an hour to 15, GM spokeswoman Sharon Basel said. GM also expects to lay off an undetermined number of employees, she said.

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