Layoffs happen yearly, and it's not advertised. Usually it mostly affects the contract personnel depending on the program. The reason why this one was made public, is because not enough salaried took the buyouts.
Every 8-10 years, GM bloats it's salaried ranks too far, and they have to reduce headcount. Buyouts are obviously the first attempt. IF enough salary take the buyouts, layoffs are insignificant, and you won't hear about them unless it affects your small group. If not enough take the buyout, they start to cut contract. Contract cuts are only because they need to get to the salaried. It's an order of precedence, and has nothing to do with efficiency. It's procedural. Contract first, salary second. When salary right sizes itself, they will bring contract back to backfill positions. They just can't get to salaried, without going through contract first - unless through enough willful takers in buyout.
The layoffs will continue until GM has decided they've right sized their salaried ranks. That is the sole purpose of this entire layoff.
Originally posted by @Xv94Gmi-vxs.