The Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union will vote this week to transform its two Oshawa plants into one in the hopes to secure the rights to build all GM “Zeta” vehicles in the future. “Zeta” is the code-name for the platform that includes the replacements for the Impala, Monte Carlo, and—if given the green-light-- the wildly popular Camaro concept.
The union feels it has few alternatives. GM plans to close the Oshawa No. 2 plant in 2008 and No. 1 in 2009. Only the fact that the plants did well in quality surveys led the automaker to extend the offer to the CAW.
“It was bargaining with a gun to your head,” said Chris Buckley of CAW local 222 of the Oshawa plants. The union has also recapitulated to GM’s demand to outsource its janitorial services and remove a construction crew that works in-house.
GM could not be reached for comment when the article was written.
[Source: Globe and Mail]
Ford Ranger Max concept debuts at Thailand Motor Show (w/VIDEO)
2009 Mini Cooper Cabrio unveiled! Detroit debut, hits showrooms in March
Mazda3 hatch unveiled, will debut next week
Enter the Rumormill: Harley-Davidson quietly launches XR1200 in US?
BREAKING: More Porsche Panamera pics surface
Event Alert: December Calendar of Automotive Events
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Porsche Cayenne GTS
Orange you glad Jason Calacanis let us drive his Tesla Roadster?
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
matt @ Mar 6th 2006 7:21PM
that would be devistating for oshawa... aka DIRTYshwa
John B @ Mar 6th 2006 10:12PM
Not only did the Oshawa plant do well in quality, it may be the best GM has and one of the best in North America.
"General Motors Corporation sweeps the North/South America plant quality awards. General Motors’ Oshawa #2, Ontario, Canada, plant, which produces the Buick Century, Buick LaCrosse and Pontiac Grand Prix, earns the Gold Plant Quality Award. The Oshawa #1, Ontario, and Hamtramck, Mich., plants earn the Silver and Bronze Plant Quality awards, respectively."
http://www.jdpower.com/news/releases/pressrelease.asp?ID=2005069
Dustin Blanchard @ Mar 6th 2006 10:23PM
It is about time they decided to bring the true american classic back. The Camaro look glorious.
Al Sahin @ Mar 7th 2006 12:11AM
Vote Yes! All those cars listed will help G.M plus the zeta platform is rear-wheel drive, i would love to have a rear-wheel drive Monte Carlo. But I think that if the Camaro was to come out the Monte Carlo would be discontinued. I would rather have the Monte Carlo!
dave @ Mar 7th 2006 12:13AM
Closing down another union controlled plant? FANTASTIC NEWS for GM.
Drew @ Mar 7th 2006 9:17AM
They have to make the Camaro. My name will be one of the first on the waiting list for this car. I'll put my deposit down on the first day I hear about it.
sirAQUAMAN64 @ Mar 7th 2006 9:29AM
Haha, nice to see another person from da 'Shwa on Autoblog :)
I would imagine enough people with brains realize that this plant will have to produce the new Zeta architecture to survive, as the current product produced there will be RWD once redesigned.
Hopefully we get the plant, if needed the government helps a bit (not that the Tories want to, but I can still cross my fingers - and if they don't they're complete fools and I can shake my head to those who elected 'em to parliment), and Oshawa can continue making quality product for GM and consumers.
Mike @ Mar 7th 2006 9:54AM
I don't see the big deal surrounding the Camaro concept... it is just the Pontiac GTO concept car painted another color.....
jamie @ Mar 7th 2006 12:37PM
Retrenchment back to the rust belt is what GM should be all about now. The farther away from Detroit HQ a plant is; the more likely it should be axed. Costs are going up dramatically, and this is an obvious way of curtailing unneccesary expenses.
However because of their proximity, OSHAWA 1 and 2 should remain viable for the forseeable future. OSHAWA is the logical choice for the Zeta platform: Impala, Monte Carlo, GTO and Camaro. The Canadian dollar is rising, but fluctuations are forever present. So that should not even be present in the discussions, because the exchange rate often helps reduce expenses.
It would be a bad move to close these assembly plants with the number of options they present.
Matt Keegan @ Mar 7th 2006 1:36PM
Yes, the Camaro is one mighty fine concept. If Oshawa lands the rights to build the car, then its future should be secured so long as the plant remains competitive and the product built is outstanding.
I agree with #4: Build it and we will buy it:
http://thearticlewriter.com/autowriter/8/
Zack @ Mar 16th 2006 2:14PM
I think Oshawa should get the Zeta contract, since they're both slated to close because of the platform's inception. Oshawa has been building high quality cars for quite some time now, it's only right to give them the chance to continue.
And yes, the Camaro is awesomebeautiful. I've got a bit over 20K saved up for my new SS right now.
James .V. @ Apr 20th 2006 11:36AM
All I gat to say is the new camaro is good. And iI love camaro and this one is next to the 1969 Z28.