WHITE MARSH, MD (AP) -- The General Motors Powertrain Baltimore Transmission Plant is planning to close for a week next month because of weak demand for GM vehicles.

Plant spokesman John Raut says the closing will be needed starting Feb. 23, unless demand for GM vehicles improves. The plant's 239 hourly workers would be given a temporary layoff.

Slow production already has caused the layoffs of 79 employees since last year.

The White Marsh, Md., plant supplies transmissions to three GM plants that are scheduled to be closed. The plant makes Pontiac six-speed Allison transmissions and a hybrid 2-mode.

(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)