QUITO, Sept 2 (Reuters) - General Motors' ( GM ) factory

in Ecuador will shutter production on Friday amid pressure from

local competitors, but will still sell vehicles in the Andean

country.

The Cadillac and Chevrolet maker said in April it would

close its production operations in Ecuador and neighboring

Colombia.

General Motors' ( GM ) OBB plant in Quito accounts for 51% of car

production in Ecuador.

The factory's 320 workers fear for their livelihoods.

Ecuador's unemployment in the first quarter of the year was

4.1%, according to official figures.

"I have mixed feelings - I'm welding my last truck for

General Motors ( GM ) in Ecuador," said welding team leader Antonio

Oramas, who joined the plant in 2004. "It will affect us a lot.

Not all of us will have the same opportunity for a new job."