http://email.gmcanada.com/corpdb/cac...3?OpenDocument

GM announces that the Chevrolet Camaro will be "Made in Canada" - New C$740 million investment brings recent GM Canada total to over $3 billion

Oshawa, Ontario (Monday, August 21, 2006) - General Motors of Canada Limited (GMCL) President Arturo Elias announced today that the Oshawa car plant has been selected to manufacture one of GM’s most celebrated new vehicles - the Chevrolet Camaro. The Oshawa plant will build the new Camaro, with early production versions at the end of 2008, with start of sales in the first quarter of 2009. This new product program and conversion of the Oshawa plant to a state of the art flexible manufacturing facility represents a C$740 million investment, with preparatory work beginning immediately.

The new Camaro is a thoroughly modern interpretation of the 1969 icon. GM has indicated that the production version of the Camaro is going to look almost identical to the “Best in Show” concept vehicle first featured at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year.

“This important new investment for Oshawa would not have been possible without the strong partnership with the CAW and federal, provincial and local governments” said Mr. Elias. “Oshawa’s selection to build the new Camaro is a tribute to our employees’ reputation for the industry’s best quality and productivity and further evidence of the exciting comeback happening at GM today.”

CAW president Buzz Hargrove said “Earning the mandate for the new Camaro is a huge accomplishment and is due in part to the reputation of our members for producing great quality vehicles. CAW local 222 has really stepped up with an innovative local agreement that contributed to building a viable business case for the Camaro.”

“Today’s announcement is great news for all GM stakeholders in the Durham Region” said Federal Finance Minister and Member of Parliament for Whitby-Oshawa the Honourable Jim Flaherty. “It builds on GM’s broader integrated innovation investment that includes research partnerships with educational institutes across Quebec and Ontario, including the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT).”

“GM’s investment in the Camaro program here in Oshawa proves once again that when government and industry work together, the result is a stronger economy and even more opportunity for Ontario families,” said Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. “Our province’s strength continues to be our highly skilled workforce and our culture of innovation -- and this new investment proves that.” Ontario Minister of Economic Development and Trade Joe Cordiano continued, saying “This announcement is a vote of confidence in this plant, the skill of its workers and Ontario as a place to invest. It shows we can accomplish great things when we all work together.”

Colin Carrie, Member of Parliament for Oshawa and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry, said "Canada offers the essential elements for a vibrant auto industry: strategic location as a gateway to the North American market, and an ideal climate for continued investment. Today's announcement reflects that confidence in our country and our auto industry."

Oshawa Mayor John Gray said “creating a positive investment climate in Oshawa and Durham Region has helped attract important new opportunities like the Camaro program.” Durham Regional Chair Roger Anderson noted “working together to create a competitive local investment environment is the right thing to do for industry.”

The C$740 million investment completes GM Canada’s Beacon project announcement in March 2005 and adds the new Camaro product mandate for Oshawa. This announcement brings GM Canada’s total investment since March 2005 to more than $3 billion.

Headquartered in Oshawa Ontario, General Motors of Canada employs more than 20,000 people nationwide. GM of Canada manufactures a variety of vehicles, engines, transmissions and other components, and markets the full range of General Motors vehicles and related services through 759 dealerships and retailers across Canada. Vehicles sold through this network include Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, GMC, Saturn, Hummer, Saab and Cadillac.

Further information
General Motors of Canada Limited
Stew Low
(905) 644-6786

Patty Faith
(905) 644-2728
patty.faith@gm.com

 

Ha, you beat me to it...awesome news, though. The next Camaro VIN will start with the number 2!!

 

So this makes it official..... cool.... let's hope the Oshawa plant(s) can keep up the great work they've done for the past few years when the General's RWD cars for the masses finally hit the street.

 

Yay!

(alright locals, time to get your cameras ready! )

 

I'm on it!!!

This is certainly great news . While I wouldn't have had a problem with GM deciding to build the Camaro in Wilmington, I'm glad to see it up here for sure. I mean, while I don't work for GM, I've got family and friends that do (let's see, my Godfather, my g/f's Dad and step-Dad, just to name a couple) so I'm certainly happy to know that the local GM plant is going to thrive .

As well, I don't know about you guys, but if you worked on the line building a Camaro, would you not have a different feeling towards that car than you would for something like an Impala, or a Buick? I know I would! I'm sure the quality of the new Zeta cars will be as good as ever from the Oshawa plant .

Well, here's to the Camaro .....

 

So, will this make the new Camaro a Canadian import instead of an American car?

 

Was the 4th-gen a Canadian import??

 

Do you consider your 2000 Z28 an import?

I would have preferred to see it built at Wilmington, honestly. There would be less flak from the import guys who buy their "American" Hondas. But I know that beggars can't be choosers, and Oshawa has an outstanding reputation.

Now I wonder, what in the heck is the plan for all the excess capacity at Wilmington?

 

Firebird??

.....<runs and hides!!!>

 

Well, if it's built in another country & sold here, it's an import. Yes, I do consider my car to be an import sold by a domestic brand.

 

It was engineered and designed in America ... why wouldn't it still be considered an American car?? Canada is just "America Jr." anyway!

 

Canada is best described as America's hat.

 

As mentioned at the Press confrence in the plant today. Oshawa has been Voted the #1 Plant for Quality By JD powers the last 3 out 4 years in North America,

The Camaro that was shown to the workers today was the red one with No interior or Drive Train.

Hope To Get On The Pre Production Team

 

can't wait to hear the build date!

 

How can I get a job there? I am a U.A.W. journeyman.