Besides the Ford Mustang and the Dodge Challenger, the Chevrolet Camaro is one of the most iconic American Muscle cars, ever to be made. However, ever since the release of the 4th generation Chevy Camaro in the early 90’s, this iconic American Muscle Car has been manufactured in Canada.
This will end after the production of the last Chevrolet Camaro from the General Motors Canada assembly line in Oshawa, Ontario on 20th November this year. The 2016 Chevrolet Camaro that goes up for sale on the fourth quarter will be produced in Lansing, Michigan.
General Motors has slated a $5.4 billion package of investments for its U.S operations to be carried out over the next three years and the production shift is a part.
Last week, GM said that it would invest 175 million dollars in order to upgrade its Lansing plant which will serve to accommodate the new Chevrolet Camaro that will go on sale on the fourth quarter.
The vehicle will be manufactured on the same platform as that of the Cadillac ATS and the CTS Compact and Mid-Size luxury sedans. According to Scott Whybrew, GM’s manager of North American manufacturing, through the invest of equipment and tooling, GM will continue to do their part on building a high-standard reputation of this standard American Muscle Car.
Ever since the start of May, General Motors has committed $2.8 billion of its $5.4 billion to different projects, including the $1.2 billion in order to upgrade GM’s Roanoke, Indiana Plant. This is where the GMC Sierra and the Chevrolet Silverado full-size pick-up trucks are manufactured.
Meanwhile, the plant that makes the Chevrolet Corvette in Bowling Green, Kentucky, has met an investment of $439 million which includes the installation of Japanese Fanuc Robots. Sadly, repatriating the Canada manufacturing will cost 1000 jobs.
The remaining 2600 will continue to manufacture the Cadillac XTS full-size luxury car, the Chevrolet Impala full-size car, the Buick Regal midsize car, and the Chevrolet Equinox compact crossover SUV in Oshawa’s plant.
Meanwhile, GM is in collaboration with Canada’s largest trade union, Unifor in order to determine the future of Canada’s manufacturing operations. Till now, GM hasn’t invested anything from its $5.4 billion package, on its operations located just north of the Detroit Stronghold.
Recently, Unifor president Jerry Dias told the Globe and the Mail, “We knew it [losing the Camaro] was coming but it doesn’t make it any easier when it gets here”.
According to him, the timing of this production shift could have been better, considering the $5.4 billion investment package in the U.S. Meanwhile, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will continue to make the Dodge Challenger at GM’s Brampton, Ontario factory.
Till now, Ford Mustang has been one of the three most iconic/signature American Muscle Cars that has never been produced outside the United States.