Equinox sales save Canadian Camaro plant jobs

[Gorehamj]

John Goreham
Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com
8/20/2015

When GM announced it would bring Camaro production home from Canada to the U.S., Unifor (the union that represents the Oshawa plant workers) and the Canadian government objected.

The Camaro is moving to a new platform and will be built in Lansing, Michigan. That left the Oshawa, Ontario plant without much to do.

 

Initial reports were that the move would cut 1,000 jobs. Back in February Unifor explored its options. The contract the local union has expires fall 2016. GM seemed open to finding something for the Oshawa plant to do. GM Canada President Stephen Carlisle was quoted then as saying, "We could take any old generic product and say, 'what does the business case for that product look like in Oshawa versus some other place?'"

 

This week it was announced that Chevy would shift more Equinox production to Oshawa. Steve Carlisle, president of GM Canada said "This new investment represents a very effective way for us to meet strong demand for the Chevrolet Equinox and it's positive news for our community." GM does not break out its Equinox sales in Canada, but in the U.S. market the Equinox was down 14% in July compared to last year. However, year to date sales are up. The slower recent sales could be product availability related.

[truckofwinandawesome]

 

equinox 16 1.jpg

John Goreham

Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com

8/20/2015

When GM announced it would bring Camaro production home from Canada to the U.S., Unifor (the union that represents the Oshawa plant workers) and the Canadian government objected.

The Camaro is moving to a new platform and will be built in Lansing, Michigan. That left the Oshawa, Ontario plant without much to do.

 

Initial reports were that the move would cut 1,000 jobs. Back in February Unifor explored its options. The contract the local union has expires fall 2016. GM seemed open to finding something for the Oshawa plant to do. GM Canada President Stephen Carlisle was quoted then as saying, "We could take any old generic product and say, 'what does the business case for that product look like in Oshawa versus some other place?'"

 

This week it was announced that Chevy would shift more Equinox production to Oshawa. Steve Carlisle, president of GM Canada said "This new investment represents a very effective way for us to meet strong demand for the Chevrolet Equinox and it's positive news for our community." GM does not break out its Equinox sales in Canada, but in the U.S. market the Equinox was down 14% in July compared to last year. However, year to date sales are up. The slower recent sales could be product availability related.

 

 

I hope they are shifting the Production from CAMI and NOT Spring Hill, because I KNOW UAW Local 1853 will SCREAM BLOODY MURDER if ANY Production is shifted from Spring Hill!