GM's Canadian Sustainability Plan Confirms New Products
Last week began with General Motors revealing its plans for survival to the American people, and by the end of the week it was Canada’s turn. GM’s Canadian viability plan wasn’t specific on the amount of money it requires, but it sheds more light on GM’s future product portfolio, much of which will be built north of the border.
GM will start building the new Chevrolet Camaro on March 16 in Canada.
The Oshawa Car Plant, which builds the Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Impala, is undergoing upgrades that will allow for a flexible system so that more than one vehicle platform can be assembled at a time. The Camaro and Impala will be assembled at the location simultaneously.
A convertible model — most likely the Camaro — will begin production at the same plant in early 2011.
Bigger news includes a new midsize front-wheel-drive car and a hybrid version of the same car in 2011, to be built at the same assembly plant. Back in December, we reported on the confirmation of a new Buick Regal sedan slated for production in Canada; this is most likely that model. GM wants to add a second front-wheel-drive vehicle to the mix in late 2011, but we are unsure of what that might be.
GM’s Ingersoll assembly plant — named CAMI — would get two new crossovers: the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox and the now-confirmed GMC Terrain later this year.
Depressingly, the already long-in-the-tooth Impala will be ancient by the time we get a new one, as production of the current model will continue until 2013. Even further out, a new full-size sedan is penciled in for 2013, along with a new front-wheel-drive six-speed automatic transaxle in 2012, and new V-8 and V-6 engines in 2014.
Full outline below.
- First quarter 2009: Chevrolet Camaro
- Second quarter 2009: Chevrolet Equinox
- Third quarter 2009: GMC Terrain
- First quarter 2011: Convertible model
- Third quarter 2011: Midsize sedan
- Fourth quarter 2011: Midsize hybrid sedan
- Fourth quarter 2011: Front-wheel-drive vehicle
- First quarter 2013: Full-size sedan
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Glad to hear the Oshawa plant will build the Camaro, if our Impala is an indicator they do a good job of assembling a car. Sorry to hear it is going to be so long before we see a new Impala, it sells well but by 2013 it will be quite dated.
GM is expecting the Impala to continue as a profitable fleet model. The Malibu will absorb retail share going forward. Impala sales are already trending down thanks to the Malibu and its age. I wouldn't assume GM wont update it any further though. I would expect a styling change and some additional features within the next 2 years.
More job out of the US.