General Motors Corp. says it will temporarily shut down production at three Mexican plants because of slumping demand here and in the United States.

The automaker says its plants in Silao and Toluca will freeze production for five days in March. Two production lines in GM's Ramos Arispe factory will be idle for six days in March, while the whole complex will shut down for an unusual five-day stretch during Holy Week in April.

The company previously said it would lay off 600 workers in Ramos Arispe between February and March.

Mexico's auto exports plunged 57 percent in January, while domestic sales fell 28 percent. Production plummeted 51 percent.