Oshawa, Ont.: General Motors has announced it's closing its transmission plant in Windsor, Ont., by mid-2010.

The factory employs 1,400 people.

GM said the closure will occur when current production mandates expire for the four-speed automatic transmissions produced by the plant.

�Despite efforts and discussions with GM's labour and government partners, the company has determined that its North American market outlook and product plans, including the shift from four-speed to more fuel-efficient six-speed transmissions, do not offer replacement products for the Windsor plant in the 2010 timeframe,� said the largest North American automaker.

Built in 1963, the Windsor plant makes front-wheel-drive transmissions shipped to plants in the US and Mexico for use in medium-sized and compact GM vehicles, including the Chevrolet Malibu and Cobalt, Pontiac G5 and G6, and Saturn Vue and Aura.

The Canadian Auto Workers union said it has been in negotiations with GM concerning the Windsor plant.

GM announced last year a new transmission would not be produced.

© 2008 The Canadian Press