'It's a shift in how we're trying to make sure we balance our production,' Sapienza said. 'Employee discount sales did a pretty good job of bringing some of our inventory down.' The automaker extended employee pricing for everyone for a six-week period that ended last month, a move that helped GM beat analyst estimates with only a 15.6 percent sales decline in September. There were about 717,000 vehicles in stock last month, the lowest September inventory level at GM in 10 years. In a separate move, GM has extended by three weeks a temporary shutdown at its Wilmington assembly plant. The plant, which already is scheduled to be shutdown the weeks of Oct. 27 and Nov. 3, also will be idled the rest of November, GM spokeswoman Sherrie Childers Arb said. The plant employs 1,130 hourly and salaried workers and produces the Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky and Opal GT. 'We are reacting to demand for the product in the marketplace,' she said. Solstice sales have fallen 25.9 percent this year, while Sky sales have dropped 7.9 percent. You can reach Robert Snell at (313) 222-2028 or rsnelldteom.