Facing the loss of another $200 million this week to a lengthy strike, General Motors CEO Mary Barra wrapped up her weekend by going to the United Auto Workers' Detroit headquarters intent on getting a new contract.

General Motors long argued its battery plants have no legal or practical path to be made part of the same United Auto Workers union contract as the rest of its manufacturing workers. On Friday, the UAW announced the company has now agreed to do just that in a last-ditch effort to avoid a potentially devastating strike.

The United Auto Workers unions targeted strike strategy continues to result in the big three auto companies temporarily laying off workers as work stoppages slow production up and down the supply chain. General Motors workers at a plant in Marion are among the latest to feel the effects.

Andretti said in Thursday's announcement -- the culmination of four months of negotiations with General Motors -- that the American automaker provides the additional value rival teams have argued new teams must bring to F1.

The Marion General Motors plant has been making car parts since 1956. It began by making the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. And, it was once the sole provider of head rests for all GM vehicles nationwide.

Ultium Cells a joint venture between LG Energy Solutions and General Motors has submitted a county tax abatement application for the proposed plant, which would be built near New Carlisle.

The recall covers Chevrolet Suburbans and Tahoes, Cadillac Escalades and GMC Yukons from the 2021 and 2022 model years.

The Fort Wayne plant will be closed the weeks of April 4 and 11. It has been running on three shifts per day making Chevrolet Silverados and GMC Sierra light duty pickups.

General Motors CEO Mary Barra said the automaker learned valuable lessons last year when it converted an Indiana factory to boost emergency production of ventilators to treat severely ill COVID-19 patients.

The Bedford Casting Operations, south of Bloomington, will be upgraded to produce components for the engine and transmission for the Chevrolet Silverado EV that is set to debut next year.