Posted on 08/22/2006 6:59:41 AM PDT by Graybeard58
General Motors Corp. will save about 2,500 jobs in Oshawa, Ontario, by building a revived Chevrolet Camaro sports car there in two years, the union that represents the workers said.
Production of the 2009 Camaro will begin at the end of 2008 as part of a $662 million investment, the company's Canadian unit said Monday. GM, the world's largest automaker, made the previous Camaro in Ste. Therese, Quebec, until 2002.
Members of the Canadian Auto Workers paved the way for the decision by agreeing in March to concessions that included shorter break times and use of contract employees.
GM said the investment is designed to give the plant flexibility to build a variety of vehicles. The Oshawa plant now makes Buick Lacrosse, Pontiac Grand Prix and Chevrolet Monte Carlo and Impala cars.
"We are thrilled about this, it means that any job losses will be through attrition, the workers' own decision," Peter Kennedy, a union spokesman, said in an interview. "But this doesn't solve everything. We're hopeful that ($662 million) investment means something else will come in to sustain the business there."
About 100,000 Camaros will be built annually, Kennedy said.
He provided the estimate of jobs saved, from about 6,000 workers at the factory.
The Detroit-based automaker said earlier this month it would bring back the Camaro. GM built the so-called muscle car from 1966 until 2002, when annual sales dwindled to 28,404 from a peak of 260,201 in 1978.
I had my Z up to 135 once but backed off. The feeling of having zero control and that I am about to become air borne has no thrill for me.
because RALPH Nadar is still alive
Doogle
Why didn't they follow the Ford lead and simply spruce-up the original design?
Actually, they did. If it is delivered as proposed, it'll look more like the original ('67 - '69) body style than any variation since. The '69 had a few minor revisions that set it apart from the first two year models... I think that's the one GM was shooting for.
Good job GM...
Stupidly, I too had mine at 135 but had the satisfaction of not letting some guy in a 535 BMW pass me.
What do you drive now?
It might actually sell if it didn't have that discredited brand name "Chevrolet" printed on it. ;)
A lot better than you think. GM will likely use a six-speed manual transmission, and will likely use a version of the current Corvette engine with variable cylinder shutdown to improve freeway mileage.
What year? My husband owned a 70 & a 72 Z28 in silver. He loved those cars. Now looking for a 69 Z and the prices are soaring, if you want one in excellent shape with matching numbers.
LOL! Is that the new & improved "Herbie"?
Not my question, but passing the answer along.
Reviving a NAME and slapping it on a carter-ized, pinto does not make a car a musle car.
Perhaps they will come with TUBO-CUP-HOLDERS!
(s)It has to go fast, listen to how LOUD it is!(/s)
In order to save the company, you will have to fire every single suit. Dismiss every single designer who had anything to do with a production sportscar of GM that was portrayed as "cutting edge".
Top Speed was 169 as verified by Road and Track.
1.0 lateral g's...stopped better than any of the european imports under $200k.
I got 20mpg on the freeway with the cruise control set to 75.
70
1972! I had one. I only had a 307 in it. But I put headers, new intake, and an advance kit on it. I loved that car. I'd buy another. I'd buy that one! :)
"70"
Ahhh, I see, it's a Z. The regular 70 had the split bumper. I prefer the continuous bumper. Great looking car. That was the style that was really a poor man's vette. Rode low, handled decent, went fast. The tail lights are very much like a vette's. :)
The problem with muscle cars such as this is that the very market they are aimed at, which I believe is the 18-30+ age group, will not be able to afford the insurance needed to drive them.
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