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 a 69z with the screaming 302. I drove it for 10 years and sold it for 2x what I paid for it. Selling that car was the worst investment move I ever made. (kicking myself all over this thread)
Ford, on the other hand, seems to be serious about competing with Toyota and Honda. Their recent car introductions are decent competition for the Japanese cars: Focus, Five Hundred, Fusion).
Just my two cents...
Because they are idiots.
Ah.....Hugger Orange! Great car, hubby has been all over the East Coast looking for one! The best price w/matching #'s was $32,000. I keep telling him to go for it. but he just can't bring himself to do it. His 1972 Z, brand new, cost him $3,400.
LOL! Sorry I don't have little kids anymore (19 & 21). I'm not up on the latest cartoons. Thanks for the info!
Take one of these, give it a 350HP engine, manufacture it with new technology materials and an interior that is comfortable and modern. I'd buy one in a SECOND.
The problem is that it would make sense.
Imagine if they literally copied curve for curve the outside of that car and put in a modern interior. The ensuring line up to buy would guarantee the job loss of too many suits.
Besides, the chik who thinks there are too many manly men in the world would think it is just a product of paternalism to bring back the muscle car. She believes men should love the Yugo
The Corvette is universally considered to be the best value for the money in the sportscar category, with performance of Porsche at half the price.
Toyota and I'm happy with it.
I see now why you call yourself Graybeard.
I barely mossed being a boomer, I was born in '45.
****
Because they are idiots.
The crux of the matter seems to be the significant design change after the Camaro's '69 model year. GM has chosen to follow Ford's example in using the *original* original for inspiration, rather than the post-1970 styling.
This apparent division in the Camaro fans' ranks may have a happy side-effect: the car may finally be rid of the mulleted crowd (who seem to prefer the later '70s models).
Hey... it *could* happen. The 'Vette used to evoke driver stereotypes involving disco attire and excessive male jewelry (esp. gold "nugget" pinky rings). Fortunately, that has all but faded away.
It's not a Smokey and the Bandit Era(yeah, I know that was a fire chicken) Camero, but it's nose and quarter panels look alot like a 67.
The new camaro looks just like the current mustang...at least to me it does.
Well based on the pictures I've seen of it.. it looks like a "me too" mustang.
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