MORAINE, Ohio -- DMAX, a joint venture between GM and Isuzu, is announcing layoffs and a reduction in plant production.

In recent months, General Motors announced the elimination of shifts at two major customers of DMAX, Flint and Pontiac.

The plant is located at 3100 Dryden Road.

Production requirements have continued to drop since the announcement and as a result, production schedules at DMAX will be reduced to be aligned with customer requirements.

In September, DMAX filed Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification (or “W.A.R.N.”) letters, as required by law, to key stakeholders and informed employees that the plant was reducing its production rate.

DMAX spokesperson Courtney Stickler said DMAX notified its employees on Friday that the schedule reduction results in the permanent layoff of 282 employees represented by the IUE-CWA effective Nov. 17, 2008.

Stickler said these actions are necessary to balance diesel engine production with dramatically reduced market demand for heavy-duty pickups, full-size vans and medium-duty trucks – vehicles that offer the Duramax diesel engine.

DMAX is the exclusive manufacturer of the Duramax diesel 6.6-liter V8 engine for the GM’s heavy-duty pickups, full-size vans and medium-duty trucks.