I am currently a GM employee at one of the affected plants. Of course, no one here is very happy about this because it affects everyone's lifestyles and families as well. There is also a trickle effect that feeds out to supplier reps, suppliers, and third parties. Some of the suppliers may close shop being that they only supply this plant with parts.
Despite the uncertainty towards my own career and future, I understand the reasons behind this. Cars are not selling like they did. Gas prices are low, so Trucks and SUVs will continue to sell. There is also a factor of the crossovers and SUVs being more utilitarian and meeting the same mileage as cars or at least very close. All in All, the market has shifted, and there is no determination when or what the next shift will be.
There is also the goal of the company to streamline the organization with the management, in order to make decisions/sign-offs faster. Without going heavy into details or divulging company information, most people will not understand where I an coming from on this. I can say that I have seen this same situation at several other companies I have worked for through the years, but this is the first one I have been at to announce the necessary change of this direction.