The final vehicle rolled off the assembly line Thursday at the GM truck plant in Oshawa, marking the end of 44 years of production and the elimination of 2,600 jobs.

The closure is part of company-wide cuts, with General Motors Canada planning to reduce its workforce by more than half by 2014.

After 45 years with GM — the majority of that time at the truck plant — Bob Nesbitt is retiring Thursday, and hopes he doesn't see the end of General Motors.

He noted that the company and the Canadian Auto Workers are in negotiations on a labour deal that will include concessions that must match an earlier agreement between Chrysler and the union.

"The company's holding the gun to the CAW's head and they either match it or they're gone, Nesbitt said.

"It's as simple as that."

There is some positive news for the company and its workers, as GM plans to launch three of six new products at its Oshawa car plant.