GM plant in Oshawa, Ont., a good bet to produce the reborn Camaro

[doh]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/08082006/...rn-camaro.html



OTTAWA (CP) - The Canadian Auto Workers union is ready to pull the trigger on 2,500 early retirement packages in Oshawa, Ont., to secure the rights to produce the Chevrolet Camaro.


CAW president Buzz Hargrove confirmed Tuesday that the union negotiated with General Motors management in the spring to secure job reductions and cost savings to land the work. GM's chief executive officer Rick Wagoner is expected to announce that the company will revive the Camaro for 2008.


The union's Oshawa management told its members in its summer newsletter that it intends to look for early retirement candidates right away.


"Once an announcement is made on a new product, we intend to conduct another retirement canvass for people interested in retirement in 2007," noted CAW Local 222 vice-president Jim Hoy.


Hargrove said the union is hopeful, but has become impatient with the lack of news from GM management.


"There's some frustration that we haven't had any decision yet," Hargrove said.


The 2,500 early retirement packages could save Oshawa's No. 2 auto plant, slated for closure in 2008. With the Camaro work, the plant could stay open, saving about 2,700 jobs, analysts say.


The three auto plants in Oshawa employ slightly less than 12,000 workers.


The latest version of the Camaro has been the source of speculation since it was unveiled at the Detroit International Auto Show in January to rave reviews. GM discontinued production of the muscle car in 2002, which left 1,000 workers at a Ste-Therese, Que., plant out of work.


That plant was demolished to make way for a shopping centre.


Several automotive industry analysts peg Oshawa as a front-runner for the Camaro production, even though GM is not expected to produce huge numbers of the car initially.


Richard Cooper of J.D. Power and Associates said the union has been trumpeting its productivity rankings in Oshawa, which are among the highest in North America.


"Oshawa is very keen to demonstrate to GM that it is a high-quality facility," he said. "It's a bit of a jewel in GM's crown."


Cooper said having the Camaro work would be prestigious for Oshawa, since the model is part of the troubled automaker's plans to change its battered image and return to profitability.


GM's Wilmington, Del., plant is also rumoured to be a leading candidate for the Camaro work.


J.D. Power estimates suggest GM could roll out as many as 100,000 of the cars beginning in 2009.


Scotiabank economist Carlos Gomes, who follows the automotive industry, said even with the loonie trading at 88 cents US, Canada has a significant edge over the United States.

"Aside from production, Canadian plants still have costs advantages," he said. "Even with the (high) dollar, these savings are still at play."

Last year, the federal government joined with Ontario to invest $435 million in the company's Ontario auto plants. Part of that money is helping to make the plants more flexible so they can accommodate the production of numerous models.

Analyst Dennis DesRosiers said the Oshawa plants are configured to handle rear-wheel models like the Camaro.

[61695]

Doesn't matter to me where they build it just as long as they hurry up and build it.

[Tomko]

Just nobody tell PRO_USA1776.

[New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66]

Oshawa for the Zetas, and Wilmington for the Kappas. Works for me.

[56 Starchief]

i think Oshawa is going to get the volume LWB Zetas from Chevy to Buick, whereas the lighter vol Zeta Camaro plus the Kappas equals a full Wilmington.

Mark my words, well see in 2008

[GM2004]

I am betting on Oshawa getting the Camaro, but I am told not to count out Wilmington. GM used Wilmington to launch the Solstice in record time. The Wilmington Plant is a possibility for a quick launch of the Camaro. There is plenty of room to add the Camaro at Wilmington since only 15% of the plant is being used for the Kappas. Under the old Zeta program, Wilmington was going to get the Camaro and GTO, then last year GM shelved the Zeta program to utilized engineering resources to focus on the SUV's launch. Wilmington already has the flexibility that GM is trying to negotiate at Oshawa. Wilmington has a manpower problem, if the Camaro was to be built at Wilmington GM would have to hire hourly people to for the assembly line , this would fit if the UAW and GM go to the two tier wage system. Hopefiully GM will clearify on Thursday.

[Hudson]

Originally Posted by 56 Starchief

i think Oshawa is going to get the volume LWB Zetas from Chevy to Buick, whereas the lighter vol Zeta Camaro plus the Kappas equals a full Wilmington.

Mark my words, well see in 2008

Why are there still people who don't believe us? How long have a bunch of people been telling you that OSHAWA is earmarked for ALL Zetas? I think it's been a year or more since I've been saying it...probably longer for others. GM documents place four Zetas (two Chevrolets, one Buick, and one Cadillac) in Oshawa. These are all of the North American(-built) Zetas currently on the books.

[ChevyRules]

Originally Posted by Hudson

Why are there still people who don't believe us? How long have a bunch of people been telling you that OSHAWA is earmarked for ALL Zetas? I think it's been a year or more since I've been saying it...probably longer for others. GM documents place four Zetas (two Chevrolets, one Buick, and one Cadillac) in Oshawa. These are all of the North American(-built) Zetas currently on the books.

Hmmm..... no Pontiac?

[GM2004]

Originally Posted by Hudson

Why are there still people who don't believe us? How long have a bunch of people been telling you that OSHAWA is earmarked for ALL Zetas? I think it's been a year or more since I've been saying it...probably longer for others. GM documents place four Zetas (two Chevrolets, one Buick, and one Cadillac) in Oshawa. These are all of the North American(-built) Zetas currently on the books.

Because people are still stuck on the fact that the Camaro was originally going to Wilmington with the GTO until GM shelved the old program. Oshawa was going to get the sedans and Wilmington was to get the coupes. It looks to me that Oshawa will get the Camaro, but I still have a tiny bit of hope Wilmington will get the Camaro. If not, what will happen to Wilmington with only 15% of the plant being used?

[Hudson]

Originally Posted by Chevy_Rules

Hmmm..... no Pontiac?

There is none on the books for North American production at the moment.

Originally Posted by GM2004

Because people are still stuck on the fact that the Camaro was originally going to Wilmington with the GTO until GM shelved the old program. Oshawa was going to get the sedans and Wilmington was to get the coupes. It looks to me that Oshawa will get the Camaro, but I still have a tiny bit of hope Wilmington will get the Camaro. If not, what will happen to Wilmington with only 15% of the plant being used?

Good question. GM has far too much capacity everywhere and Wilmington is just one example. It doesn't seem that Zeta will require a second North American plant, but if it does...Wilmington, Hamtramck, Oklahoma City, and Moraine will be among the plants hoping to get the extra work. For now, Wilmington is a Kappa-only plant...and is set up to produce the volume it is currently building.

[gmhashope]

It seems a little odd that Cadillac would get a Zeta car as that would be about the same size as a CTS or STS.

[Hudson]

Originally Posted by gmhashope

It seems a little odd that Cadillac would get a Zeta car as that would be about the same size as a CTS or STS.

No...it will be larger. It is replacing the DTS.

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by Hudson

No...it will be larger. It is replacing the DTS.

So we have....

Impala, Camaro, DTS, and Lucerne (Statesman?). If the DTS is the Cadillac, the Buick HAS TO BE the Lucerne.

[doh]

Originally Posted by Hudson

No...it will be larger. It is replacing the DTS.

Salute Hudson, so much information. I am glad you are here.

[CharlotteFirebird]

Could the US get some cars? Lately we have the Astra, the Aura wagon, the Pontiac sedan from Austrailia, and the Vue being imported. I'm tired of it. All it does it justify everyone's made-in-the-USA Toyota.

Meanwhile if the Lucerne and DTS move to Canada, then what is Hamtramck going to make? What about Spring Hills?