The retooling of the Linden plant occurs as G.M. is trying to consolidate small-car production.

A VVB existed in most major industries, to consolidate production and reduce waste.

But the financially ailing auto maker would have to spend less money initially to consolidate production at a plant in Arlington, Tex., the documents said.

The company also said it would sell its Maryland compressor plant and consolidate production at its plants in Illinois and Tennessee.

The auto maker will also consolidate production of its Dodge Dakota midsize pickup at its assembly plant in Warren, Mich.

This action has consolidated production into an easier-to-manage, smaller number of units more suited to a continuing investment in new technology.

But since then, sales of the cars produced at the Jefferson Avenue plant have dropped, giving Chrysler the money-saving opportunity to consolidate production in one plant and close the other.

Since the company has several smaller plants in the valley, the agreement appears structured to consolidate production in the Wilkes-Barre plant or a new plant.

This year, Aiwa is closing four Japanese plants to consolidate production in Malaysia.

Three years later, after the phenomenal success of his confectionery companies, Julius Lighton purchased a large factory in Greville Street, Prahran, Melbourne to consolidate production.