REPORT: GM considering boosting production of four hot sellers: Camaro, Equinox, Lacrosse and SRX
2010 Chevy Camaro – Click above for high-res image gallery
Good news has been in short supply for General Motors so far this year, but increased demand for its new products shows that the worst of times may be in the rear view mirror. Automotive News is reporting that GM may increase production of four new vehicles due to heavy demand. The new-for-2010 Chevy Equinox and Camaro, Cadillac SRX and Buick LaCrosse are reportedly under consideration. Equinox sales are so brisk (13,157 sales in August) that GM is considering adding production of the efficient crossover at a second plant. Expanding Equinox production could also happen if GM adds a third shift to its CAMI facility in Ontario.
One reason for the potential production increases stems from this summer's Cash for Clunkers bonanza. Inventory is now so low for many vehicles that a bump in production is inevitable. GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson reportedly told AN that the company knew it would have to eventually bump production and that its new products have done the best job of outstripping demand. GM is likely hoping that these fresh faces are hot enough that a sustained production bump is necessary, which may mean that some laid off employees could be called back to work.
Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Chevy Camaro
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Avinash machado 10:04AM (9/17/2009)
I thought GM never makes cars that people want to buy.
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Aznauto 10:12AM (9/17/2009)
People are buying Caramo only because its new model and its heritage once that wears of expect sales to fall as we seeing with Mustang. Camaro's' interior and quality are well behind its competition.
Avinash machado 10:13AM (9/17/2009)
But what about the LaCrosse?
inteller 10:18AM (9/17/2009)
old people are living longer.
hokieman09 10:31AM (9/17/2009)
Aznauto
Why do people continue to assume that an interior without a thousand buttons is out of date and crappy. The interior is not cheap and out of date. The style may not fit everybodies tastes but to say its far behind the competition is just wrong.
Rev 10:59AM (9/17/2009)
I don't think the cheap, outdated interior is nearly as bad as the cheap, outdated exterior.
Other Man 11:24AM (9/17/2009)
That remains true of some of the Old General Motors products that are still available.
But overall this is good news; it means they are seeing their own hard work pay off, and in addition that people will shop American again if the quality products are there.
But one concern: Guzzlers and premium products like the Camaro and SRX are on the list yet the Malibu's sales have cooled off enough? That's too bad.
daleam 11:27AM (9/17/2009)
Wow. Plenty of ignorant comments.
NS 11:32AM (9/17/2009)
I cannot believe the comments of dope-heads calling a Camaro interior/exterior outdated. I find trolls less offensive than you idiots!
I'm not even waste a wit trying to explain the "retro-modern" philosophy of the Camaro design.
derek 5:21PM (9/17/2009)
Lol, CONSIDERING?
Wow...thats like...
...TOYOTA is CONSIDERING making more cars for the USA.
NO frakking SH/T!
Shamdiddly 2:14PM (9/17/2009)
""But one concern: Guzzlers and premium products like the Camaro and SRX are on the list yet the Malibu's sales have cooled off enough? That's too bad.""
A few points: Neither vehicle you mention qualifies as a gas guzzler; in fact, the V6 Camaro returns impressive fuel economy and the SRX starts at just over $33K.
What this really points to is that a fair amount of the American public are still interested in something nice, fun to drive and somewhat economical - NOT a 2500 lb. econobox that goes 0-60 in 13 seconds. I can't find specific data on the Malibu, however, I don't believe its sales are falling drastically.
The American public still loves nice cars - not everybody wants 35 or 40 mpg when fuel is at $2.50/gallon and seem to have a real short memory from when it reached almost $5/gallon.; )
daleam 2:32PM (9/17/2009)
Shamdiddly - I don't think he was calling those guzzlers, he was talking about guzzlers as well as those products.
Crackberry Addict 10:07AM (9/17/2009)
GREAT!!! but C4C did help alot tho... so that should be considered heavily.
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Danimal 11:02AM (9/17/2009)
Maybe, but how many people traded in their clunker for an SRX, Lacrosse, or Camaro?
neutralgear 11:50AM (9/17/2009)
you can't trade in your gaz guzzler for another gaz guzzler
Shamdiddly 2:38PM (9/17/2009)
Neutralgear,
A coworker traded in his chevy pickup on a V6 automatic Camaro - which qualified for the C4C program.
Stop propagating misinformation.
daleam 10:20PM (9/17/2009)
Good work, Shamdiddly. ++
mullen.arlington 10:12AM (9/17/2009)
If these new designs are so popular, they might want to consider upping their prices a bit. Maybe then they can pay us back.
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BoxerFanatic 11:44AM (9/17/2009)
Do you see the fallacy in that?
Charging us more to pay us back?
that is why it was stupid to get the taxpayers involved in the first place.
Either way it comes out of the pockets of american households.
daleam 12:02PM (9/17/2009)
BF - It would be charging more for those who buy the products to pay everyone back. Since you are no doubt someone who would never buy a GM product, that should make you happy. Now run along.