Trickle-Down Effect of American Axle Strike Spreads to Other Tier Suppliers as Additional Layoffs Are Announced

SUGAR LAND--May 8, 2008--Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--As the 10th week of the American Axle & Manufacturing Incorporated (NYSE:AXL) (Detroit, Michigan) strike comes to a close, the effects of the walkout are obvious. General Motors Corporation (NYSE:GM) (Detroit) has either halted or slowed production at 30 of its manufacturing or assembly facilities in North America. However, this strike, combined with continually rising gas prices, a weakened United States economy, and the effects of the housing market crash have begun to alter the entire automotive industry landscape in North America.