Chevy Increases Equinox Production

We’ve heard some car shoppers are having a tough time finding a new 2010 Chevrolet Equinox or 2010 GMC Terrain on dealership lots because they’re selling so quickly. General Motors has picked up on this and is amplifying production of these two popular models.
 
As of March 1, the number of days it would take to sell the Equinox’s current inventory is well below the average of 67 days. The Equinox takes 33 days, and the Terrain takes 29 days. February had lower numbers, though, around 18 to 19 days for both models. The always popular Honda CR-V is at 37 days.
 
To increase production, a third shift will be added at the Oshawa Assembly Plant in October, employing about 600 additional employees. Adding a third shift takes time for tooling and people to be put in place, a GM spokesman said.
 
The Equinox and Terrain are currently produced at GM’s CAMI Automotive plant in Ingersoll, Ontario. Under the new plan, more Equinoxes will be produced at the CAMI plant to purposely exceed capacity. The overstocked Equinoxes will then be shipped to GM’s Oshawa Assembly Plant, where the new third shift will finish paint and final assembly.

However, demand is now, and the boost in production will be in October. There’s no telling what the demand will be in about six months.

Comments

Good news for the job front!

Sad news for the environment!

I'm rooting for Gm, we need our tax dollars back!
AR,
how is this bad for the environment? The Equinox gets really good mileage!

Happymantis
Still cannot compare to a regular sedan.

Amuro Ray,

And what? Flowers come out of CR-V tailpipes?

Since it's a GM auto your piston may come out of the tailpipe. Another prime example of why I still don't trust GM 'quality'.

http://jalopnik.com/5501161/never-fill-a-cadillac-srx-turbo-with-regular-unleaded-gas

J,
The Equinox FWD gets 22/32, thats right in the ballpark of regular midsize sedans.

Or better yet, compare it to other ~3700-3800 lb sedans.

I think I did not mention about only mileage.
We are also talking about how a heavier vehicle causes more damage to the road and thus requires more repair work, which causes pollution.

Man, dunno how this domestics VS imports got stirred up by some idiots again...

Yes, the fuel efficiency for the E FWD is good, but that's missing the entire pt.

1. Our dependent on SUV / CUV is once again growing. It's the E now...but we'll most likely see the growth of other SUV/CUV soon.

2. 22/32 is really NOT an impressive figure; in fact, not a good mileage figure at all, if you compare to the fuel efficient small cars, who essentially does the same job as the E. Remember, most SUV / CUV owners are also solo drivers. Besides, this is the FWD model, which really is not the main model that most people opt for.

3. Seriously, how many people will be able to obtain 22/32 in their daily drivings? Are you suggesting that most - 99.9% of the drivers out there - are very conservative drivers out there? I would rather bet on a real world mileage of that is much worse than 22/32 for most drivers out there, assuming their typical driving styles (heavy foot, not even lead foot, on most start/stop situation, and 10 mi/hr over speed limit on most driving conditions).

Now you see why increasing sales of SUV / CUV of any brand is really bad for the environment?

It is a great car and they must increase the production.

Real world numbers don't come close to the EPA estimates based on numerous automotive review sites (Edmunds, etc) and scoping message forums.

Plus those numbers are front drive models with a slug of a 4 banger that is completely overmatched by the nox's hefty curb weight. The 2 that I've driven have had the worst gear hunting transmissions I've ever experienced.

The Equinox is not a competitor to the CRV either, it is much larger and more comparable to the Ford Edge. And add a few options you'll find the price creaping into the mid 30's just like the Edge, Murano, Subaru Tribeca. etc.

Everything else aside, what if you don't want to drive a sedan? Why is it that we're all expected to do what everyone else wants? I like the looks of this SUV, and the size is just right. If I could afford one, I'd buy it!

J,
seriously? so driving an Equinox causes that much extra pollution from the roadwork required to fix the potholes left by this behemoth? In a country of the H2, Suburban, Sequoia, and F350s?
AR,
Of course its not a great number compared to small cars, but then again, a Yaris cannot compare to a Prius' gas mileage. Ever heard of apples to oranges?
All I'm saying is, I'm no GM fanboy, but give a car where credit is due. I drive a 2006 RAV4 and I really like the Equinox for its gas mileage, which is BEST IN CLASS. Notice its not best gas mileage in all vehicles, merely, best in class.

Happymantis,

you are wrong about the mileage.
YOING mentioned that no test ever produced anything close to posted EPA for Equinox.
And on top of that, RAV-4 consistently gets best mileage in class, according to Car and Driver tests they've conducted in the past few years. Last one returned 24mpg for RAV-4 V6, same as CR-V (4cyl).
I contrast, the Equinox returned under 20mpg where in books it should of done 25mpg.
So much for Equinox's "best in class" mileage. I tell you what. My Highlander produces better figures that Equinox.

Lets get back to the point. Its great for the job front. People are buying new cars again and clearly GM is making a model people want to buy. Amuro Ray, pull your head out. People drive small cars with a lead foot too. These vehicle do not cause any damage to the roads. The big 18 wheelers cause the damage. Are you going to stop the from driving on the roads? If you are a GM hater, just admit it.

You all got a problem with the mileage...shut your blabbing and file a complaint with the EPA. Until then, who give a rat's ass what publication got what observed mileage.

You want a Highlander then buy one, you want a RAV4 then buy one, you want a CRV then buy one, you want an Equinox then buy one. It's so stupid the arguments you all instigate.

The problem with AR is that he thinks like an Anarchist. He would prefer that we all drove small cars and didn't have choices that are afforded to us, thanks to capitalism. Not everyone is like you, AR. Small cars don't fit everyone's needs.

An anarchist does not believe in no choices, an anarchist believes in no controls meaning no forced choices.

So in actuality AR is thinking like a progressive. Where the powers that be know better than the free market.

Go GM, build em and sell em, since I like every other citizen of this country is an unwilling stock holder in the company.

Anarchists are anti-capitalism. Capitalism is based on the free market. Supply and demand drive the free market. People demand more Equinoxes. GM builds more Equinoxes.

That was my angle.

I happened to forget to mention how a SUV/CUV creates more pollution than the posted mileage.
They tested those mileage in a lab.
Is wind resistance factored in? Did they factor in the fact that they must slow down much more to turn in a corner?

"Happymantis
Still cannot compare to a regular sedan."

actually it can.

"Real world numbers don't come close to the EPA estimates based on numerous automotive review sites (Edmunds, etc) and scoping message forums."

Thats a lie. Numerous reviews have gotten mid 20s for combined mileage and owners have gotten up to 32mpg according to what I've read. Stop spreading false information.

"Plus those numbers are front drive models with a slug of a 4 banger that is completely overmatched by the nox's hefty curb weight. "

another lie. 0-60 for a FWD equinox is 8.7 secs. 0-60 for an Accord LX is about 9.1 secs and 8.7 secs for an EX with 190hp. The Malibu, Fusion, 6 and other midsize cars with automatics need close to 9 secs to hit 60mph just like the Equinox. Try and be accurate- if possible.

"We are also talking about how a heavier vehicle causes more damage to the road and thus requires more repair work, which causes pollution."

This may be one of the most absurd anti crossover rants ever. No road suffers more from a 3700lb vehicle vs a 3400lb vehicle. Trucks and buses are heavy enough to cause more damage (gradually) than cars. Not a unibody crossover. Just say you hate SUVs, dont try to rationalize it with BS logic.

"Until then, who give a rat's ass what publication got what observed mileage."

exactly. Some people dont even understand how EPA figures come about. YOING and some others think GM can make up EPA numbers and deliberately mislead the public. That is ridiculous. All automakers follow the SAME standards to get EPA mileage. It is true that more and more are learning how to program transmissions to excel at the test. That is NOT the same as fudging numbers as YOING and Tony are claiming.

Tony:

C&D tested a Terrain V6 and got 21mpg in a recent comparo test. C&D's mileage numbers are ALWAYS below EPA combined. They recently tested a Tuscon and got 17mpg during their test. C&D acknowledges they never drive will fuel economy in mind so using their stats to disprove the EPA numbers is pointless.

ORLY Sheth/1487? Made up huh?

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/09q3/2010_chevrolet_equinox_lt-short_take_road_test

"Chevrolet’s Equinox is a competitive vehicle hamstrung by a pretty severe weight problem. At 3752 pounds, our tester is on the hefty side of this segment. It pays for that mass with fuel economy that won’t live up to the 22 city/32 highway mpg EPA ratings in real-world use, and frugality is a chief reason people buy a vehicle this size over something larger."

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0d4a15/52#MSG52

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0d4a15/52#MSG52

Plenty more where that came from.