It’s just all kinds of wrong that the Chevy Camaro is built in Canada. Now I know our friends from north of the boarder do fine work, and most cars are actually built all over the world with parts being made just about everywhere these days, but final assembly will be back home in the U.S. again starting with the next gen Camaro. We will see the next Camaro in a few years but until then the car will still be built in Canada. However the Camaro will come to Lansing.
Understandably the Canadian Auto Workers are quite pissed. However, from GM’s stand point this only makes sense. The CTS and ATS are already built in Michigan while the Camaro is the only RWD car built in Canada, so it makes sense for GM to house all of its RWD cars in one plant.
Below are the pressers from GM and the CAW.
Next-Generation Chevy Camaro to Be Built in the U.S.
2012-12-19
GM announced today the next-generation Chevrolet Camaro will be assembled at the Lansing Grand River (LGR) Assembly Plant in Lansing, Michigan. This decision is based on a comprehensive business case.
Lower capital investment and improved production efficiencies were key factors in the business case. The Camaro is the only rear-wheel drive (RWD) vehicle built at Oshawa. Assembling the next-generation Camaro at LGR consolidates the RWD assembly with the Cadillac CTS and ATS. As a result, GM will continue to deliver top-quality vehicles as efficiently as possible.
GM will continue to meet the production targets agreed to with the Canadian and Ontario governments during the 2009 restructuring.
Production of the current generation Chevrolet Camaro will continue on the flexible manufacturing line at Oshawa Assembly until the end of the current product lifecycle. The Buick Regal continues to be produced there, and GM recently invested $185 million to support the launch of two new products on the flex line as well: the all-new Cadillac XTS and the next-generation Chevrolet Impala scheduled to launch in 2013. In addition, GM recently announced it will add a third shift to support the launch of the new Impala there. The consolidated line at Oshawa Assembly will continue to produce the current generation Chevrolet Impala and Equinox until June 2014.
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GM Must Replace Lost Camaro Production on a One-to-One Basis, says CAW
Press Conference Details Below
OSHAWA, ON, Dec. 19, 2012 /CNW/ – The CAW is reacting in anger and frustration at the leaked announcement by General Motors that the company will allocate the next generation of Camaro to its Lansing, Michigan assembly plant, instead of the Oshawa Flex Plant where it is currently built.
The decision will cut between one third and one quarter of production in Oshawa and will occur in late 2015, early 2016. The union is calling on General Motors to replace the production on a one-to-one basis, ensuring that no jobs are lost.
“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,” said CAW National President Ken Lewenza. While the exact number of jobs that may be lost has not yet been accounted for, removing Camaro could have the effect of closing down a number of auto parts companies. “This decision will cause yet another devastating shock to the Durham Region and the country’s auto industry,” said Lewenza. Lewenza called the announcement and its timing both “callous and poorly thought-out.”
“The timing of this announcement couldn’t possibly be any worse,” said CAW Local 222 President Chris Buckley. “Our members are now going into the holiday season wondering what will happen to them and if they’ll have jobs in the future. General Motors must now explain to our members and Canadian tax payers why they are pulling more production out of the country.”
Press conference:
The CAW will be responding via a media conference call today at 2 p.m. at the CAW Local 222 Hall in Oshawa – 1425 Phillip Murray Avenue.
Please call 1-888-886-7786
SOURCE: Canadian Auto Workers Union (CAW)
News Source: General Motors, Canadian Auto Workers