Ford, GM, and Ram Will Finally Implement The J2807 Towing Standard

The tentative agreement between General Motors and Canadian union Unifor has a $400 million investment going to Oshawa for a new product. Unifor President Jerry Dias said at a press briefing yesterday morning that Oshawa would be the only GM plant that will build cars and trucks. Neither side is saying what that product might be.
But Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail has learned from sources that Oshawa will be handling the final assembly of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. Truck bodies from GM's Fort Wayne Assembly in Indiana will travel to Oshawa to have interiors installed and final assembly. The Detroit News reports something similar, although their source says it will only be the Silverado.
Oshawa has a history of building pickups. For four decades, Oshawa was one of the places where GM built the Silverado and Sierra. But in 2009, GM closed the truck plant due to the recession. 
The Globe and Mail also reports that production of the XTS has been extended at Oshawa. Analysts believed previously that XTS production would end in 2019.
Source: The Globe and Mail, The Detroit News

View full article

The tentative agreement between General Motors and Canadian union Unifor has a $400 million investment going to Oshawa for a new product. Unifor President Jerry Dias said at a press briefing yesterday morning that Oshawa would be the only GM plant that will build cars and trucks. Neither side is saying what that product might be.
But Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail has learned from sources that Oshawa will be handling the final assembly of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. Truck bodies from GM's Fort Wayne Assembly in Indiana will travel to Oshawa to have interiors installed and final assembly. The Detroit News reports something similar, although their source says it will only be the Silverado.
Oshawa has a history of building pickups. For four decades, Oshawa was one of the places where GM built the Silverado and Sierra. But in 2009, GM closed the truck plant due to the recession. 
The Globe and Mail also reports that production of the XTS has been extended at Oshawa. Analysts believed previously that XTS production would end in 2019.
Source: The Globe and Mail, The Detroit News

It came down to the wire, but a tentative deal between General Motors and Canadian union Unifor was reached before the midnight deadline. 
“Did we achieve our objective? I would suggest the answer is clearly yes,” said Unifor President Jerry Dias during a press conference this morning.
“We have found a solution for your facilities. To say this is a difficult set of negotiations is an incredible understatement."
In a statement released by GM, the tentative agreement will bring wage increases to the 3,860 workers and introduce new investments and products to the Oshawa and St. Catharines plants. Oshawa was a key focus for Unifor as GM didn't have any plans for the plant after 2018. 
For St. Catharines, GM will move some engine production from Mexico to the plant. A source tells The Detroit News the plant will also continue building the 3.6L V6 and add some transmission work. Oshawa was the big winner as GM will be investing millions into the plant to make it the only GM plant that will build cars and trucks. GM and Unifor aren't saying what the products will be. 
“It’s a total win for Jerry Dias and Unifor. They got everything they were looking to get going into the talks; every box right now is checked,” said Tony Faria, professor emeritus, office of automotive and vehicle research at the University of Windsor’s Odette School of Business.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), The Detroit News, 2, GM
Press Release is on Page 2


General Motors of Canada Media Statement
OSHAWA, ON, September 20, 2016 — General Motors of Canada and Unifor have reached a tentative new collective agreement, covering approximately 3,860 represented employees at just after midnight on September 20th 2016.  The agreement will enable significant new product, technology and process investments at GM’s Oshawa, St. Catharines and Woodstock facilities, placing those operations at the forefront of advanced manufacturing flexibility, innovation and environmental sustainability.  This agreement is subject to member ratification.  We will be working with government on potential support, and will provide further details on the investment at the appropriate time, while respecting Unifor’s ratification process.

View full article

It came down to the wire, but a tentative deal between General Motors and Canadian union Unifor was reached before the midnight deadline. 
“Did we achieve our objective? I would suggest the answer is clearly yes,” said Unifor President Jerry Dias during a press conference this morning.
“We have found a solution for your facilities. To say this is a difficult set of negotiations is an incredible understatement."
In a statement released by GM, the tentative agreement will bring wage increases to the 3,860 workers and introduce new investments and products to the Oshawa and St. Catharines plants. Oshawa was a key focus for Unifor as GM didn't have any plans for the plant after 2018. 
For St. Catharines, GM will move some engine production from Mexico to the plant. A source tells The Detroit News the plant will also continue building the 3.6L V6 and add some transmission work. Oshawa was the big winner as GM will be investing millions into the plant to make it the only GM plant that will build cars and trucks. GM and Unifor aren't saying what the products will be. 
“It’s a total win for Jerry Dias and Unifor. They got everything they were looking to get going into the talks; every box right now is checked,” said Tony Faria, professor emeritus, office of automotive and vehicle research at the University of Windsor’s Odette School of Business.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), The Detroit News, 2, GM
Press Release is on Page 2


General Motors of Canada Media Statement
OSHAWA, ON, September 20, 2016 — General Motors of Canada and Unifor have reached a tentative new collective agreement, covering approximately 3,860 represented employees at just after midnight on September 20th 2016.  The agreement will enable significant new product, technology and process investments at GM’s Oshawa, St. Catharines and Woodstock facilities, placing those operations at the forefront of advanced manufacturing flexibility, innovation and environmental sustainability.  This agreement is subject to member ratification.  We will be working with government on potential support, and will provide further details on the investment at the appropriate time, while respecting Unifor’s ratification process.

While Ford is introducing an updated 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and ten-speed automatic for the 2017 F-150, the 2018 F-150 is more interesting to us. This is because Ford will be giving their full-size truck a facelift and a diesel engine. Thanks to Car and Driver, we're able to get a closer look via a set of spy shots.
We'll begin with the facelift. Ford has done a decent job with the camouflage, but we can pick out a new grille design that seems to mimic the F-Series super duty. Expect new headlights, along with new taillights and wheel choices.
We have reported previously on the venturi exhaust and a video with the noises of a diesel engine . Now we have more proof of the diesel engine. Thanks to a Ford engineer leaving the hood open, we have gotten our first clear look at the diesel engine. We can't tell much about the engine aside from there being a mess of hoses and wires. You might be asking how we know this is a diesel. Two key items give it away; a diesel fuel inlet behind the fuel filler door and a sign taped inside saying"Diesel Fuel Only!"
Everyone believes the diesel engine in question is a 3.0L turbodiesel V6 that is used in the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport TD6 models. This engine produces 254 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque.
Source: Car and Driver

View full article