Chevrolet Will Build The Blazer In Mexico, UAW Is Not Happy At All

Chevrolet has managed to upset the powerful United Auto Workers (UAW) union by confirming that the 2019 Blazer will be built exclusively in Mexico.

The Detroit News reports that UAE vice president and director to the UAW-GM department released a statement immediately following the Blazer’s online premiere.

In it, he rips into the automaker for favoring cheap labor over supporting U.S. families.

“This news that the iconic Blazer nameplate will be built in Mexico is disappointing to UAW families and communities across this country.

“GM employs over 15,000 production workers in Mexico, pays the workers less than $3 per hour and exports over 80 percent of the vehicles to the U.S. to sell here. This is all happening while UAW-GM workers here in the U.S are laid off and unemployed. We in the UAW have always supported products manufactured and produced in the U.S. and will continue to do so as a part of the fabric of our union,” the statement read.

In response, a GM spokeswoman said the automaker opted for Mexico because its U.S. factories that can build a midsize SUV are already operating at full capacity.

While it’s not at all surprising that GM will build the Blazer in Mexico, it is somewhat surprising it has decided to publicize production details in the midst of fierce opposition for foreign-built vehicles from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Not only is the Trump administration looking to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, it has also threatened to slap tariffs of up to 25 per cent on auto imports to the United States.

And then, of course, there’s the whole Ford debacle that ended up with the Blue Oval reversing course and nixing a planned $1.6 billion investment for a small car factory in Mexico – though they won’t admit to bending to the President’s threats. Makes you wonder what Trump, who has already threatened Chevy with slapping a tax on Mexico-built Cruzes, will think of their decision…