GM's Involuntary Layoffs Start Monday, At Least 4,000 Workers Expected To Lose Jobs

That leaves roughly 4,250 salaried workers and 6,000 hourly employees targeted for layoffs. The company said in November that half of the hourly workers were in Canada with the other half in the U.S.

The company has offered jobs to all 2,800 hourly workers affected in the U.S., and about 1,000 have accepted. The other 3,000 hourly workers located in Canada are getting help finding jobs and training.

Many of the cuts are planned at factories in the United States and Canada that make sedans and compact cars — vehicles that have not been selling well in North America, as customers turn toward trucks, sport utility vehicles and crossovers. These vehicles tend to be more profitable for automakers.

As it has been trimming back its sedan lineup and exiting its least lucrative businesses, GM has been pumping cash into new mobility technologies, especially autonomous driving.

GM's reorganization is expected to save the company about $6 billion by 2020, with half of those savings realized by the end of 2019, the company has said.

Executives told investors in mid-January that the company's full-year results for 2018 exceeded the company's expectations, and gave a positive outlook for 2019 as well.

"Mary is bold man. She doesn't mind making a tough decision, which is probably nice to see compared to what GM has been historically. Shes not afraid of a tough decision," said Sam Huszczo, owner of SGH Wealth Management outside of Detroit. He said he manages money for several clients who work at GM.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

CNBC contributor Paul Eisenstein assisted with this article.