Auto workers are to block the entrance of the General Motors of Canada's headquarters in Oshawa again today to protest a plan to close a nearby truck plant next year.

The blockade prevented about 1,000 GM staff from entering the headquarters area with their cars. The company asked employees to work from home.

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TheStar.com | Business | GM blockade stays: CAW

Chevrolet Silverado has fewest defects of any full-size pickup truck

The General Motors truck plant in Oshawa that it plans to close next year, produces the highest quality large pickups in North and South America, according to a leading industry study.

J.D. Power and Associates revealed yesterday in its annual study of initial quality that the Oshawa plant posted the fewest problems among full-size pickup operations in its assembly of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra models.

Furthermore, J.D. Power noted the GM Oshawa plant finished in the top 10 operations for quality among 71 assembly facilities on the two continents.

GM announced earlier this week that it would close four assembly operations including the truck plant in Oshawa during the second half of next year because soaring fuel prices are driving buyers away from pickups and sport utility vehicles to smaller more fuel-efficient cars.

Union officials said they did not understand why GM would close its top pickup plant when it is striving to win buyers with better quality than the leading offshore-based auto giants.

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TheStar.com | Business | Oshawa truck tops in group: quality study