Autoblog

2014 Chevy Impala production commences

Seyth Miersma — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet

Production of the tenth-generation Chevrolet Impala began today, with the first 2014 model rolling of the line at the company's Ontario's Oshawa Assembly plant. The new Impala, which will be produced at General Motors' Detroit-Hamtramck plant in addition to the Canadian location, is expected to make an appearance in showrooms later this month. Impala assembly in Detroit will begin in May of this year.

The full-size Impala will come to market with an engine lineup that includes a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 2.4-liter four with the company's eAssist mild hybrid technology, and the 3.6-liter V6 that we sampled a few weeks ago. Sadly for the trivia buffs among us, Chevy didn't provide any specification information or other facts about the first-ever 2014 Impala. Scroll down to read Chevy's brief press release, or click the image above for an expanded view of the debutant Impala rolling out of the factory. History in action.

Continue reading 2014 Chevy Impala production commences

2014 Chevy Impala production commences originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy says current Impala to live on through 2014

Seyth Miersma — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Chevrolet

We've had no lack of information regarding the new 2014 Chevrolet Impala so far; we know that it will sticker for about $27k to start, that it will offer I4, V6 and hybrid powerplants and that it will go on sale in Spring 2013. We also now know that the Impala will have some very closely related competition, at least for a little while...

Buried at the very end of a press release about the manufacturing of the Chevrolet Camaro returning to US soil yesterday, was this nugget about the current-generation of the Impala: "The consolidated line at Oshawa Assembly will continue to produce the current generation Chevrolet Impala and Equinox until June 2014."

That's right, long after the better looking and fully modern 2014 Impala is on sale in dealerships, the old girl will still be getting churned out up in Canada - most likely being sold as a fleet-only special for the remaining run. If you'll recall, this situation wouldn't be unique for Chevy - the sixth-generation Malibu stayed in the marketplace badged as a "Malibu Classic" for some time after the seventh-gen car went on sale. The dual-Impala strategy should help preserve residual values of the all-new 2014 model, while at the same time allowing GM to further profit from the old Impala, whose tooling has long since been paid for.

Chevy's press release, with the all-important last sentence, follows below.

Continue reading Chevy says current Impala to live on through 2014

Chevy says current Impala to live on through 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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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Canadian Auto Workers lobby government for national auto policy

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, GM, UAW/Unions, Canada

Shortly after General Motors announced it would eliminate an assembly line at Oshawa, thereby eliminating 2,000 jobs, the Canadian Auto Workers union got on the phone to set up meetings with ministers from the three major political parties in Canada. The CAW didn't just want to jawbone and complain, either - it entered the meetings with a slate of breathtakingly ambitious initiatives that would comprise a national auto policy.

We're not sure if the union asked for everything hoping they could at least get half, but most of the ideas have little chance of leaving the printed page: the government should maintain minority stakes in automakers, devalue the Canadian dollar, secure manufacturing commitments from automakers, examine the feasibility of a Canadian carmaker and halt free-trade negotiations with the EU and other carmaking nations like Japan and Thailand. And in a move reminiscent of the Saab trustees' request to the U.S. government, the CAW, citing a "moral obligation" on the part of GM because the Canadian government still owns ten-percent stake in The General, asked MPs to strongly encourage GM to "to ensure continued investment in Canadian facilities and jobs."

After those bombshells, the additional requests of formally laying out a national manufacturing footprint and building a green automaker are soggy firecrackers by comparison. The blunt response of a Tory (conservative) MP who's a member of the Tory auto cacus was, "they want a highly labour-intensive auto industry behind protectionist walls and subsidized by taxpayers." CAW chief Ken Lewenza did claim that all parties agreed on the need for a national auto policy, nevertheless, we have a feeling it won't have much in common with the CAW's proposals.

Canadian Auto Workers lobby government for national auto policy originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jun 2012 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM to shut Oshawa line, shed 2,000 jobs

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, GM, Canada

According to the Toronto Sun, General Motors will be shutting down one of the lines at its Oshawa, Ontario plant, putting 2,000 workers out of a job. As of yet, no official notice has been given to the employees or the Canadian Auto Workers union that represents them, though an official announcement is reportedly coming within the next couple of days.

GM will be closing the line that currently builds the Chevrolet Equinox and outgoing Impala models. Recently, we reported that the automaker would be adding Equinox production to its Spring Hill, Tennessee facility, but this news of a line closure in Oshawa likely means that GM's compact crossover will now be built exclusively in the United States. The 2014 Impala will move to GM's flexible line in Oshawa, where it will be built alongside the Buick Regal, Chevrolet Camaro and Cadillac XTS. The Impala will also be built at GM's Detroit-Hamtramck facility, which is currently responsible for the Chevrolet Malibu and Volt.

Another report from The Globe and Mail suggests that a third shift could be added to the flex line when production of the Impala and XTS fire up. If that's the case, employment on this line would rise from about 2,000 to 2,500 workers, and the laid-off employees from the consolidated line would have first crack at these jobs.

GM to shut Oshawa line, shed 2,000 jobs originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Camaro ZL1 production delay could mean very limited 2012 model year

Chris Paukert — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST

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

Nearly two weeks ago, we reported news of a "quality assessment" issue with the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 that was holding up deliveries and further production. We checked in with Chevrolet spokesman Monte Doran today to get some clarification on where things stand with the 580-horsepower coupe after being alerted by a reader that Camaro5 forum members with the car on order are growing increasingly frustrated with the delay, seemingly unable to get a clear status update on the fate of their vehicles.

General Motors is declining to say what the nature of the problem is, but Doran says the automaker is confident they are close to a fix that will enable deliveries "in the weeks, not months."

Doran estimates that GM has built "a couple of hundred" 2012 ZL1 models, but only one was delivered to a customer, and that example was handed over due to a dealer error and subsequently reclaimed pending the update. Any ZL1s that were delivered to dealers are back at Chevrolet's Oshawa, Ontario plant awaiting the fix.

Given that the ZL1 was to launch in spring, the high-performance coupe was already looking at an unusually short model year. This stoppage could mean that the 2012 model year run will be even shorter. Doran says GM hopes and expects that when production does resume that it will do so with 2012 models, but he admits that depending on timing, it's possible that Oshawa could transition directly to 2013 model year builds. Either way, contrary to rumors, ZL1 models already built will be delivered as 2012 models. Doran also indicates that GM has instructed its dealers to not accept further orders for 2012 models at this time.

GM acknowledges that this is an unfortunate situation - particularly because the ZL1 is a hotly anticipated model where some eager customers have had their deposits in for six months or more - but Doran says Chevy wants to focus on "getting the car right" so that customers are satisfied in the end.

While the delay is no doubt frustrating for those who have been waiting months for their cars, we couldn't help but wonder aloud to Doran if the very abbreviated 2012 model year production may result in their increased collectability down the road. He paused and replied, "You're not the first person to suggest that."

Chevy Camaro ZL1 production delay could mean very limited 2012 model year originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM commits another $68M to Oshawa to build Impala

Zach Bowman — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, Canada

General Motors has announced that it will invest an additional $68 million into the company's Oshawa assembly plant to produce the next-generation Chevrolet Impala. Those funds are on top of over $100 million headed toward the facility to help launch production of the Cadillac XTS in the plant. The Impala marks the fifth new model to be manufactured at Oshawa since 2009, and GM says the new investment will secure approximately 350 jobs. The next-generation Impala will be built both in Oshawa and at the GM plant in Hamtramck, Michigan, which is also responsible for building the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu.

From what we've heard so far, Impala buyers can expect their new vehicle to be based on a variant of the GM Epsilon 2 platform with a 3.6-liter V6 under the hood. The vehicle may also boast a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, and the GM eAssist system may rear its head as well.

The Oshawa assembly plant currently employs 4,400 workers, and the facility produces the Chevrolet Camaro, Camaro convertible, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Equinox and Buick Regal. The plant recently added two new shifts, thereby securing 1,300 jobs in the process. Hit the jump to view the full press release.

Continue reading GM commits another $68M to Oshawa to build Impala

GM commits another $68M to Oshawa to build Impala originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Cadillac XTS aims to straighten up and fly right

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:50:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Sedan, Cadillac, GM, Luxury

The Cadillac DTS and STS never gained much favor outside of livery slaves and foot-in-the-grave pensioners, and for good reason. Utterly devoid of sex appeal or even the presence of the Escalade or less costly CTS, the Barges of Ft. Lauderdale always came across as something Cadillac had to sell, not something it wanted to.

That looks to be changing with the 2013 Cadillac XTS that serves as their replacement.

Like the CTS that put Caddy back on the map both in design and dynamics, the XTS slots between two segments. Bigger than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A6 but smaller than those two German companies' flagship sedans, the XTS offers more interior room than anything in its segment-splitting class, along with a trunk that eclipses even the Audi A8 for volume.

The XTS' crisp exterior comes off as a bit sedate in person, but to the design team's credit, chrome use has been kept to a minimum, opting instead for brushed metal and tasteful brightwork in Platinum trim.

If the exterior doesn't excite, the interior should, with Cadillac's new tech-rich CUE infotainment system handling everything from navigation to streaming audio, topping it all off with a 12.3-inch configurable display in the IP. But it's also the little things. Purple contrast French stitching on the dash, doors and seats might sound like Joker-approved trim, but the effect is subtly stylish, as are the leather surfaces ahead of the passenger whose perforations spaces out in a gradient as it nears the doors.

As revealed last night, power is provided by a 3.6-liter V6 making 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque. The base XTS sends power to the front wheels, but with the addition of General Motors' HiPer Strut system in front, rear air suspension and Magnetic Ride Control dampers pulled from the V parts bin, the XTS could be a handler - particularly when fitted with the optional torque splitting all-wheel-drive system. Plus, braking is by Brembo all around, even on base models.

Sales of the Oshawa, Ontario-built sedan are slated to begin late next spring, and if you're thinking a V-series version sounds compelling, don't be surprised if it shows up in two years time.

Continue reading 2013 Cadillac XTS aims to straighten up and fly right

2013 Cadillac XTS aims to straighten up and fly right originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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General Motors adding Chevrolet Equinox production at Oshawa, move boosts GMC Terrain too

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:39:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Canada

2010 Chevrolet Equinox - Click above for high-res image gallery

Continued strong demand for General Motors' new Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain has triggered the automaker to add extra production capacity for the crossovers at the its Oshawa, Ontario assembly plant. As you may recall, last year, GM added an extra shift of production at the Ingersoll plant that has always built the Equinox, but apparently that still isn't enough bandwidth. Thus, the body shop at Ingersoll will be expanded over the next several months to provide the extra stamping capacity needed to supply Oshawa. The bodyshells will then be shipped 120 miles east to Oshawa where a third shift will build the Equinox alongside the Impala.

With the new production capacity, all laid off employees at Ingersoll will be back at work and 70 workers will be hired. The Oshawa ramp-up will lead to the recall of 600 employees there, many of whom lost their jobs when full-size pickup truck production ended there last year. Production of the Equinox in Oshawa will start this fall.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox

Continue reading General Motors adding Chevrolet Equinox production at Oshawa, move boosts GMC Terrain too

General Motors adding Chevrolet Equinox production at Oshawa, move boosts GMC Terrain too originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buick Regal, Camaro convertible production to launch in Oshawa plant Q1 2011

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Canada

2011 Buick Regal - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors of Canada has confirmed that production of the 2011 Buick Regal will kick off at its Oshawa assembly plant in the first quarter of 2011. That move has been assumed long before the Regal was even confirmed as an addition to the North American product lineup when a GM-CAW document listed production of a mid-size sedan to be added to the plant.

General Motors will bring back up to 700 laid off workers to staff a second shift on the flexible manufacturing line at the plant east of Toronto. The front-wheel drive Regal will be built on the same assembly line as the hot-selling Camaro. About the same time as Camaro production begins, GM will also add production of the new Camaro convertible. Initial supplies of the Regal will be coming from the Opel plant in Russelsheim, Germany when it goes on sale this summer.

Gallery: 2011 Buick Regal

[Source: General Motors ]

Continue reading Buick Regal, Camaro convertible production to launch in Oshawa plant Q1 2011

Buick Regal, Camaro convertible production to launch in Oshawa plant Q1 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Cadillac XTS production to start at Oshawa in early 2012

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Cadillac, Canada, Luxury

Detroit-bound Cadillac Concept Teaser - Click above to enlarge

Early next Tuesday morning, Cadillac will unveil a concept version of its new XTS flagship at the Detroit Auto Show. A report from Canada's CTV now says that production of the XTS will begin at General Motors' Oshawa, Ontario assembly plant in early 2012. Rumors of a Cadillac to be produced at the plant east of Toronto first began circulating last July. The XTS will join the Chevrolet Impala and Camaro as well as the new Buick Regal at the facility. The XTS is expected to be based on the Epsilon II platform but with all-wheel-drive.

The addition of the Cadillac and the Buick could necessitate an extra shift at the factory which would likely result in 750-1,000 of GM's previously laid-off workers being recalled. Last year, GM closed an adjacent Oshawa factory that had been building full-size pickup trucks.

[Source: CTV]

Report: Cadillac XTS production to start at Oshawa in early 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM confims Chevy Camaro Convertible for Oshawa production alongside 2011 Buick Regal

Noah Joseph — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:55:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Buick, Chevrolet

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ever look for something high and low only to find it hiding in plain sight? That's how we'd sum up the latest announcement from General Motors. The company has announced that the new Buick Regal - based on 2009's European Car of the Year, the Opel Insignia - will enter production at the beginning of 2011 at its assembly plant in Oshawa, Ontario. There it will join the existing assembly line for the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain crossovers and the Chevy Camaro.

The kicker? General Motors subtly slipped in the announcement that the Camaro Convertible will begin production there as well around the same time. The drop-top pony car was first mooted with the concept unveiled at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show, and GM has been hemming and hawing about its production prospects ever since. Well, apparently they've made up their minds, and told all of us about it in the most understated way they could think of. Follow the jump to read the official press release.

Gallery: Chevy Camaro Convertible Concept

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM confims Chevy Camaro Convertible for Oshawa production alongside 2011 Buick Regal

GM confims Chevy Camaro Convertible for Oshawa production alongside 2011 Buick Regal originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Proud Oshawa mayor and his Camaro SS ruffle some feathers

Chris Shunk — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Government/Legal, Chevrolet, GM

2010 Chevrolet Camaro - Click above for high-res image gallery

The hot-selling 2010 Chevy Camaro is made in Oshawa, Canada. The mayor of Oshawa, John Gray, drives a spanking new red Camaro SS with a white racing stripe, just like the one that introduced the bowtie muscle car to the Middle East back in June. Supporting locally made products sounds like a shrewd move for any politician, especially when the city is footing the bill for your ride. A free Camaro is a great job perk, but one Oshawa resident - Bill Steele - doesn't agree.

Steele says the mayor is "flaunting this gas-guzzling vehicle all around town... and I don't like that I'm paying for part of a sports car that gets 17 miles to the gallon." Steele serves up the city's high tax rates as a reason why the mayor shouldn't be driving a Camaro. Of course, without over 400 Camaros being built in Oshawa per day, there would likely be thousands fewer tax payers to help pay those already high taxes. Mayor Gray knows there are a few citizens who don't like his pricey, thirsty pony car, but that thankfully isn't stopping him from driving it. Thanks for the tip, Alan!

Gallery: 2010 Chevy Camaro launches in the Middle East

[Source: MSN Autos]

Proud Oshawa mayor and his Camaro SS ruffle some feathers originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Cadillac DTS to be replaced by XTS, which will be built in Canada alongside new Buick Regal

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Cadillac

The days of Cadillac's big DTS sedan are numbered as the plant that builds it will soon be shut down and re-tooled. The Detroit Hamtramck assembly plant that builds the DTS and Buick Lucerne will switch over to building the Chevy Volt in 2010 and the current products are both long in the tooth.

The National Post is reporting that the new Cadillac flagship will be dubbed XTS and will be produced at the Oshawa assembly plant. It will be built alongside an updated Chevrolet Impala, the new Camaro and the Buick Regal. The DTS is a front-wheel drive car, but the XTS is expected to the share the Epsilon II platform with the Regal and the new Impala. As such, it will likely get all-wheel-drive at least as an option. For its part, the Regal will likely be a re-badged version of the Opel Insignia. The report goes on to say that Oshawa will produce a hybrid version of one of those offerings - a gas-electric Regal model is a reasonable bet.

Earlier reports had pegged the next Cadillac sedan as a model that would supplant both the DTS and the slow-selling STS, and although the NatPost article does not speak to this, it is reasonable to assume that the new XTS will result in the phase-out of both model lines. The new model line was reportedly put on hold back in August of last year, but it apparently has once again been given the go-ahead.

The XTS is scheduled to be launched in December 2011, with the new Impala coming in early 2013. Thanks to Ben for the tip!

[Source: The National Post]

REPORT: Cadillac DTS to be replaced by XTS, which will be built in Canada alongside new Buick Regal originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM adds shift at Oshawa to keep up with Camaro demand

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, Canada

Chevy Camaro assembly line - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Might the newly-revived Camaro be the bright shining sales star that General Motors so desperately needs? That remains to be seen, but at least initial reports are favorable. According to The Peterborough Examiner (via The Detroit News), demand for the new-gen. muscle car is high enough that GM has asked workers at the assembly plant in Oshawa, Ontario, to work through the week of June 29, which had previously been scheduled as mandatory time off. Furthermore, Camaro orders are expected to be strong enough to keep the Oshawa plant's flex line humming along on Saturdays in June, July and August, and that means overtime for the beleaguered auto workers.

Gallery: Pre-production Chevy Camaro assembly

[Source: The Peterborough Examiner via The Detroit News]

GM adds shift at Oshawa to keep up with Camaro demand originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 May 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM cuts shifts, output at three plants

Michael Harley — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing

It's hardly unexpected given recent gloomy sales numbers, but General Motors announced today that they will be cutting shifts at several North American plants. Unfortunately, nearly 2,000 workers will lose their jobs in the process as GM eliminates its third shift to slow production and ease the backlog of vehicles sitting on dealer lots. The affected plants are Orion, Michigan; Oshawa, Ontario; and Lordstown, Ohio (these plants manufacture the Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Cobalt, and Pontiac G5). The news comes on top of the previously announced idling of the Fairfax assembly plant in Kansas City mid-January. That plant makes the Saturn Aura and also the Chevrolet Malibu.

[Source: Reuters]

GM cuts shifts, output at three plants originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM and CAW reach deal over truck plant closure

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, GM, UAW/Unions, Canada

In a deal designed to assuage the tensions between General Motors and the Canadian Auto Workers union, GM's new car plant in Oshawa, Ontario will gain two additional models to build. The old truck plant in the same city, though, will still close sometime in 2009. Until then, the truck plant will continue to assemble hybrid versions of GM's full-size pickup trucks. The new Oshawa plant will begin building GM's long-anticipated Camaro revival and will also get some Chevrolet Impala production and an unnamed Buick model at some point in the future.

In addition to the extra work at the brand new Oshawa plant, displaced workers with at least 26 years of GM employment will get a percentage of their yearly salary, even after the plant has closed, until they have reached the necessary 30-year mark for retirement. Other qualifying ex-employees will get buyout packages of some sort. Thanks for the tip, Ryan!

[Source: CBC News]

GM and CAW reach deal over truck plant closure originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM may add car line to closing Canadian truck plant

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, GM, UAW/Unions, Canada

Despite rising tensions (and a lawsuit) between General Motors and the Canadian Auto Workers union, the automaker may be interested in adding a new car line at its soon-to-closed truck plant in Oshawa, Ontario. Though that plant was originally scheduled to stay open a few more years, slumping sales of full-size trucks built there have forced GM to announce its early closure along with three other pickup and SUV plants. Since that announcement, union workers have barricaded GM Canada's headquarters for the last eight days in protest, which we'd imagine might make it difficult for GM management to negotiate with union officials... but what do we know?

According to The Detroit News, however, GM has been talking with Ontario's Economic Development and Trade Minister, Sandra Pupatello, who says that the government is very interested in securing the new vehicle line as quickly as possible. Even if a decision is made in short order, it is likely the plant's 2,600 workers would be out of work for up to two years after the closes and before its ready again with new tooling for a passenger car line.

[Source: The Detroit News]

GM may add car line to closing Canadian truck plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM Canada suing CAW for C$1.5 million

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, GM, UAW/Unions, Canada

Hold on to your britches folks. General Motors dealings with the Canadian Auto Workers union just took another turn for the worse. GM, like every other full-line automaker selling vehicles in the United States, has been unable to move as many pickup trucks as it had hoped since the price of gas has spiked. In response to the shifting tide of vehicle sales and to slow the huge financial hemorrhaging, GM announced about eight days ago that it would be closing four plants that build trucks and SUVs, including one in Oshawa, Ontario. Unfortunately, the General had recently promised to keep that particular plant open for a few more years, so the announcement more than irked the Union officials from up north.

Here's where things get real ugly. In retaliation, the CAW has blockaded the entrance to the GM headquarters in Canada for the last eight days. As you might imagine, GM has a slight problem with this and has taken the matter to court, where documents reveal that the automaker wants C$250,000 from the local union and five of its members for a total of $1.5 million in damages. We're not sure if this impending lawsuit will impact the Union's plans for a rally this Thursday in the parking lot of the Oshawa headquarters, but it's probably safe to say that this situation won't have a happy ending.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

GM Canada suing CAW for C$1.5 million originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CAW form blockade in front of GM Canada to protest plant closings

Chris Shunk — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:31:00 EST

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

The dust hasn't settled yet on General Motors' announcement that it will be closing an additional four plants, but the Canadian Auto Workers union is already foaming at the mouth. The CAW organized 30 trucks to block GM Canada's headquarters in response to the company's decision to close its Oshawa truck plant. The Oshawa plant produces the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickups, production of which the General has reduced sharply in response to slow sales. The Canadian union says it won't move the trucks, which is blocking all vehicular traffic, until it meets with GM officials. While the CAW is letting pedestrians on foot through the blockade, we wouldn't be surprised if bipedal passage comes accompanied by a few colorful words that would make a sailor blush.

While the CAW would never want to lose a plant under any circumstances, the rank and file are particularly angry this time because the news came only two weeks after GM promised to keep the plant open through most of 2009. GM also promised that the plant would build its next generation light-duty pickup. In the automaker's defense, GM needs to make tough decisions quickly because of this rapidly changing market, and unions don't really react as the wind blows.

Other unions affected by the four plant closings are also miffed, but none went so far as those crazy Canadians. The union at GM's Moraine, Ohio plant, for instance, expressed its displeasure with being closed and has stated publicly that it plans to fight the closings, but considering that it builds the Chevy Trailblazer, GMC Envoy and Saab 9-7x, we'd say there isn't much hope for union workers in Moraine, OH.

[Source: CBC]

CAW form blockade in front of GM Canada to protest plant closings originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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