Autoblog

Chevy Camaro to be built in US once again

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 14:17:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM, UAW/Unions, Canada

General Motors has announced that the next generation of the Chevrolet Camaro will once again be built in the United States, specifically at the Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant in Lansing, MI. The current Camaro has been assembled in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, since its introduction in 2010.

The automaker cites "lower capital investment and improved production efficiencies" as key reasons for the move - indeed, the Camaro is the only rear-wheel-drive vehicle made in Oshawa; the Buick Regal and Cadillac XTS are currently manufactured there, and the upcoming Chevrolet Impala will join the front-wheel-drive group in 2013. Meanwhile, the Lansing facility currently produces two rear-wheel-drive vehicles - the Cadillac ATS and CTS - which makes the Camaro a natural fit.

The Canadian Auto Workers Union is, as expected, none too pleased by the "callous and poorly thought-out" announcement, "reacting in anger and frustration" according to a statement. CAW National President Ken Lewenza added, "General Motors has once again shown a complete and utter disregard for its workers and also Canadians in general, whose tax dollars kept the company out of bankruptcy."

The CAW says that "GM must replace lost Camaro production on a one-to-one basis." The automaker's own statement says it will "continue to meet the production targets agreed to with the Canadian and Ontario governments during the 2009 restructuring." In any case, production of the current Camaro will continue in Ontario until the next-gen model is ready to go on sale sometime within the next few years.

Feel free to read statements from both General Motors and the CAW below.

Continue reading Chevy Camaro to be built in US once again

Chevy Camaro to be built in US once again originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Dec 2012 14:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM plants begin ratifying new UAW deal, 15 so far

Zach Bowman — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, GM, Earnings/Financials, UAW/Unions

General Motors manufacturing facilities around the country have begun ratifying the tentative labor agreement between the automaker and the United Auto Workers. Both Flint and Lansing were the first plants to vote for the new deal over the weekend, though others are beginning to fall in line, including the St. Louis-area plant in Wentzville, which has been earmarked for a $380M investment to help build a new mid-size pickup, along with Spring Hill, Tennessee, former home of the now defunct Saturn brand. A total of 48,500 GM workers are expected to vote on the measure by the time the issue comes to a close. All-in, Reuters reports that 15 plants have voted for the new contract, three have voted against ratification, and there are 35 yet to vote.

The Detroit Free Press is also reporting that a deal with the Ford Motor Company may also be struck by week's end. The UAW is also continuing negotiations with Chrysler, which have endured some early hiccups.

GM and the UAW agreed on a deal that would see new entry-level workers receive a $2-3 hourly raise over the next four years, as well as a $5,000 signing bonus and a yearly $1,000 lump-sum inflation protection bonus.

GM plants begin ratifying new UAW deal, 15 so far originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Cadillac ATS launch timetable revealed?

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Cadillac, GM, Rumormill

Spy Shots: Cadillac ATS mule - Click above for high res-image gallery

GM is investing heavily in its Grand River Assembly plant. Recently, the automaker announced it's pouring $190 million into the Lansing, Michigan facility, and one of the models expected to be built there is the upcoming Cadillac ATS. The ATS will slot below the CTS and will be built in a range of body-styles. According to GM Inside News, the ATS will first be launched as a sedan, with a coupe and convertible to follow behind. Eventually, a V-Series version will also be produced.

GM Inside News also reports that they have verified a timetable for the release of the ATS variations. The sedan will be released in the fall of 2012, as a 2013 model. Nine months later, a two-door will be made available as a 2014 ATS model. Another nine months after that and a convertible ATS will hit the streets. And of course we'll get to see a 2015 ATS-V as well.

Rumor has it that the ATS will be available with a wide range of engine options, starting with a naturally-aspirated four-cylinder that will be standard, while the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a V6 will also be offered. For the V-Series, it's been said that Cadillac will stick with the V8 formula and shove an eight-cylinder unit under the hood of the ATS.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Cadillac ATS

[Source; GM Inside News]

Rumormill: Cadillac ATS launch timetable revealed? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Chevy Corvette production to leave Bowling Green for... Lansing?

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, Rumormill

2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible - Click above for high-res image gallery

Even though it was just named the Official State Sports Car of Kentucky not even a month ago, a story from WLNS speculates that Chevrolet Corvette production could move from Bowling Green, Kentucky to Lansing, Michigan. The UAW president and economist who brought it up apparently didn't suggest that it would happen, they were really just throwing out possibilities to the WLNS reporter.

General Motors' Corvette rep David Caldwell, though, has doused any idea of this happening. When Autoblog asked him about the story, Caldwell told us that there had been a roundtable about what the Lansing Grand River plant might produce, and various cars were mentioned, including the Corvette. However, as Caldwell notes, "Corvettes are born in Bowling Green," and "nothing going on in the foreseeable future changes that long-time fact."

In other words, all of you in the Bluegrass State can relax now.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible

Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid, Max Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: WLNS]

Rumormill: Chevy Corvette production to leave Bowling Green for... Lansing? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM adding third production shifts at three U.S. plants

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, GM

With all of the factories that General Motors is closing down and the brands being eliminated, there has been plenty of bad news for GM's blue collar staff over the past year. This week, there was finally a bit of good news as three factories got word that they would add third shifts in the coming months. The Fairfax, KS, Lansing-Delta Twp, MI and Ft Wayne, IN factories will all add more workers and production.

Fairfax is losing production of the Saturn Aura, but all production of the Malibu will be consolidated there along with the Buick LaCrosse. The Orion, MI plant that has been building Malibus along with the Pontiac G6 will be retooled next year to build the next-generation Aveo. With fullsize heavy duty pickup production stopping in Pontiac, that production will be shifted to Ft Wayne. The Lansing factory will be adding Chevy Traverse production that is ending at the Spring Hill, TN factory. A total of 2,400 jobs will be added at the three factories.

[Source: General Motors]

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GM adding third production shifts at three U.S. plants originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UAW strike halts GM's CUV production

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, GM, UAW/Unions

This morning, UAW workers at General Motor's Lansing Delta Township plant in Michigan have began a work stoppage, halting production of the Saturn Outlook, Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia. Both GM and the UAW are remaining mum on why the strike began, but it's likely due to an unsigned contract that covers work rules. However, according to the Lansing State Journal, 2,300 workers are employed at the plant, and while hourly workers are walking the picket line, salaried employees reported for duty.

[Source: Autoweek]

UAW strike halts GM's CUV production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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