Dragon

After the W-Impala goes away in 2012-13 An EPII Unit will Replace it. That Plus the Camaro Plus a Buick (as the Article reports, be it Alpha or Epsilon), and another Vehicle.

question is when are they gonna retool for the new body type.

the impala will be made till 2013, lets assume model year so through mid-2012. That only leaves a few short months till the and the new FWD replacement will begin in early 2013. with another vehicle starting in 2010, is it only going to have a short run till the 2013 retool?

Well, before this thread turns overly negative, keep in mind that the article doesn't specifically say what vehicles will be added. Also remember that it's already being retooled to produce another platform, and if you need a hint as to what it might be, here's one:

very true, but since there hasn't been any news about closing down the car plant not making Zeta, it can be implied that it will either continue to make the W-body or be retooled. Since there hasn't been any retooling news and money is tight, chances are, they will continue to make the W-body

also, from the other article I posted,

CHEVROLET IMPALA

- Subject to market demand, GM will maintain three shifts for 2009.

- Production extended from 2012 to '13.

OTHER VEHICLES

- A rear-wheel drive vehicle will be added to production at GM Oshawa alongside the Chevrolet Camaro.

- Two mid-size front-wheel drive vehicles will be added to production in late 2010 and early 2013 respectively.

timelines make it sound like the Impala will continue till 2013 and will then be replaced by another FWD. That doesn't leave much time for the plant to be retooled

http://money.canoe.ca/News/Other/2008/07/29/6295886-sun.html

GM Oshawa workers demanded work or wages.

The Canadian Auto Workers Local 222 told more than 1,000 members inside the GM Centre yesterday that now they have both.

Union leaders unveiled details of a grievance resolution that will give workers close to retirement up to $120,000 to walk away and offer cash buyouts for young workers. All who leave will get $35,000 car vouchers.

Those left in the thinned ranks of the auto giant were told the deal locked in car model production east of Toronto for the near future.

Local president Chris Buckley called it making "the very best out of a very terrible situation."

The landmark package comes after last month's bombshell announcement that the GM Oshawa truck plant was closing and the ensuing 12-day blockade of GM Canada's head office.

The retirement incentives and buyouts range from $37,500 for a worker with less than three years experience up to $120,000 for a tradesman ready to retire. The offer was being made to around 3,676 eligible workers at GM Oshawa. Each employee is eligible for a $35,000 car voucher along with the cash.

"This is incredibly expensive for GM," said David Robertson, CAW director of work organization and training. "This is all money GM has to find over and above income security."

Aside from the details of the deal, the message to workers was the blockade of GM's Canadian head office last month was a successful skirmish in the ongoing war to weather the "perfect storm" of a high Canadian dollar, high fuel prices, the U.S. mortgage meltdown and low sales, battering the auto industry.

Workers marched on GM's head office after the company announced the closure of the Oshawa truck plant, just weeks after GM and the union inked their collective bargaining agreement.

"Fighting back makes a difference," Buckley told the crowd. "Made in Canada matters."

In exchange for the commitments, the union agreed to drop the grievance filed against the company after the blockade.

"Heaven forbid they want us to go back to the swamp," plant union chairman Keith Osborne said, referring to the company's head office. "All we want is jobs."

Alongside the Chevrolet Camaro expected to start being produced in Oshawa later this year, GM committed to extending the Chevrolet Impala production by one year to 2013.

Two mid-size, front-wheel drive vehicles will be produced at the plant starting in late 2010 and early 2013 and an additional rear-wheel drive vehicle have been committed to the plant.

PLANT CLOSURE DELAYED

GM also agreed to not demolish the truck plant for the life of the agreement.

Both the company and the union were tight-lipped about what those car models would be, citing the need for secrecy to remain competitive.

Stew Low, director of communications for GM Canada, said the resolution "turns the page," for the company and the union. "It puts the truck plant closing behind us," he said. "This is about doing the right thing for employees."

The company has a history of providing packages for employees left jobless because of plant closures or restructuring, he said.

"We've always been able to sit down and solve problems (with the union) in a collaborative way," Low said.

The company said it was up to any employee considering the buyout to make a "personal decision." Low said there was no set number on how many employees had to take advantage of the offers.

Despite celebrating yesterday's resolution, union officials warned their membership the fight to keep automotive jobs in Canada isn't over and that GM plants in Asia, Mexico and Russia continue to grow while the Oshawa plant shrinks.

One official said "one more plant closure would wipe Oshawa off the map."

---

THE DEAL

GOODBYE PACKAGES

Option 1 -- Retirement Incentive

Individuals who are eligible to retire will be entitled to:

- Production: $100,000 plus $35,000 car voucher.

- Trades: $120,000 plus $35,000 car voucher.

Option 2 -- Buyout Program

Those not eligible to retire who agree to leave:

- Production: $37,500 (less than three years) ranging to $100,000 (greater than eight years) plus $35,000 car voucher.

- Trades: $45,000 (less than three years) ranging to $120,000 (greater than eight years) plus $35,000 car voucher.

Option 3 -- Leave to Retirement Program

For those close to retirement:

- Production: $50,000 (26 years but less than 27) ranging to $80,000 (29 years but less than 30) plus $35,000 car voucher plus leave to retirement at 65% of wages.

- Trades: $60,000 (26 years but less than 27) ranging to $96,000 (29 years but less than 30) plus $35,000 car voucher plus leave to retirement at 65% of wages.

HIGHLIGHTS OF GM PLEDGES

TRUCK PLANT

- GM won't demolish the plant even after they close it next year for the life of the agreement or unless mutually agreed upon.

- A gym inside the plant will remain open or be relocated.

CHEVROLET IMPALA

- Subject to market demand, GM will maintain three shifts for 2009.

- Production extended from 2012 to '13.

OTHER VEHICLES

- A rear-wheel drive vehicle will be added to production at GM Oshawa alongside the Chevrolet Camaro.

- Two mid-size front-wheel drive vehicles will be added to production in late 2010 and early 2013 respectively.

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews...20080728?rpc=44

So it sounds like the W-Body impala will be hanging around for another 5-6 years, unless they plan retool the Plant for EPII which there has been no mention of that I've seen

Well, ideally, 0 layoffs would be "just right" so any number of layoffs (by any company, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Toyota, ETC) is a sign that the company doesn't believe itself to be in the strongest position.

The article just said salaried employees, didn't say what these salaried employees do, they could be redundant bureaucratic beancounter types that they could do without.

from what I've been told from a salaried employee, it will include many different area's, including the manufacturing area

this might just be a coincidence, but has anybody else noticed that if you sound out OSM , it sounds a like awesome but with an o instead of an a?

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2008-0...sler-cuts_N.htm

DETROIT — Chrysler said Wednesday it will cut 1,000 salaried jobs worldwide by Sept. 30 as it tries to return to profitability amid a severe downturn in U.S. sales.

The automaker announced the cuts in a letter to employees. Chrysler spokesman David Elshoff said the company hopes most of the cuts will be accomplished through early retirements, attrition and voluntary separation programs, but he said involuntary layoffs will be considered if the company fails to meet its targets.

"In light of an expected prolonging of the current market conditions, the company has made the difficult decision to revisit the current staffing levels in both its salaried and supplemental work force," Chrysler said in a statement.

Chrysler's U.S. sales fell 22% in the first six months of this year as customers shunned its trucks and sport-utility vehicles in favor of smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. Industrywide U.S. sales were down 10%, but the decline hit Chrysler harder because trucks and SUVs make up 72% of the company's U.S. sales.

The cuts come on top of 3,000 white-collar cuts made in 2007. Chrysler also plans to cut some of its 2,700 temporary workers in the new round of layoffs, on top of the 1,100 temporary workers it cut in November. It didn't say how many temporary jobs will be cut.

FIND MORE STORIES IN: Canada | General Motors | SUVs | Chrysler | Cerberus Capital Management | Detroit Three | Himanshu Patel | JPMorgan | David Elshoff | St. Louis North | St. Louis South

Chrysler is the latest U.S. automaker to cut its salaried work force as high gas prices and the weak economy continue to eat into U.S. sales. Ford Motor (F). has set a goal of cutting salaried costs by 15% by Aug. 1, while General Motors (GM). said last week it plans to cut salaried costs in the U.S. and Canada by 20%. Ford and GM haven't said how many jobs will be affected, but it's expected to be several thousand at each company.

Chrysler's finances have been under wraps since it was bought last year by the private-equity company Cerberus Capital Management. But analysts consider the company the weakest of the Detroit Three in the current sales slump because of its dependence on the North American market and its heavy reliance on trucks and SUVs.

Chrysler had $9 billion in cash at the end of last year, according to JPMorgan auto analyst Himanshu Patel. Patel recently estimated the automaker will burn through $4 billion this year and could be forced to file for bankruptcy protection or sell off parts of its business in the second half of 2009 if industry conditions don't improve.

Chrysler said Wednesday its liquidity has remained unchanged since December because of aggressive reductions, asset sales and production cuts. Most recently, Chrysler announced in June that it will shutter its St. Louis South plant, which makes minivans, on Oct. 31, and will cut a shift at its St. Louis North plant, which makes pickups, in September. Those moves will affect 2,400 jobs.

"However, the signs of economic challenge continue for the U.S. market and as a result, further actions must be taken to improve our business and return to profitability," Chrysler said.

its amazing how dropping "could be" has such an impact

CNN.com is streaming it, watching right now

If the Camaro with 500 hp were to cost $45-50,000 why not just get a Vette?

apples & oranges. some people like the look/feel of a muscle car over that of a sports car.

not too mention the nostalgia, heritage of the new Camaro.

I could have sworn I saw a new red Challenger in Antioch, California last Thursday ( July 3). Are they not out on the streets? Everyone at the intersection was pointing at the car...perhaps we were all fooled and it was a 70s Challenger, thought the poportions were more modern.

ya, they are out, been in production since may I think. actually saw one the other day while I was on my way to visit my buddy who works at Brampton.

i like the back of the current TL but I find the front extremely boring. from the profile, I'm not sure if i'll like the 09 but since we only have the front pic to go on, I'm going to have vote for the 09

I don't like it now, but just like the Cobalt name, which I also didn't like at the beginning, I'm sure it'll grow on me.

Right now it it makes me think of some MINI-sized import.

given its low production numbers, a blown v8 Z28 wouldn't have much effect on the CAFE number would it? Since the engine and most of the car (except maybe suspension and a few bits here and there) are off the shelf.

So in the grand scheme of things, would killing the Z28 really have that much effect on fuel economy and cost numbers?

Haven't read that article as yet, but I've one question: Where is Mr. Wagoner and what are his thoughts given the renewed urgency?

in GM HQ working with renewed urgency?

This is getting a lot of press around here. The CAW is having a hissy fit. What is GM supposed to do? Wave a magic wand and make people buy crew cab Silverados?

usually i'd agree, but in this case I'm with the CAW. GM bargained in bad faith and deserve to be penalized severely

did they just take Accord headlights and mount them on this car?

CAlling it anything other than a Chevrolet Camaro would be idiotic.

word.

while the average European might have a negative opinion of Chevy (not saying they do, this is just for arguments sake), anybody who's actually considering buying one KNOWS its a Chevy, and I think its fair to say the average person would also know its a Chevy

not only are there signs, but lets not forget the non-disclosure agreement everybody has to sign just so they can walk into the plant, let alone work there.

Why is that Draconian? The rise of Detroit in the '20s and '30s either froze our or bankrupted the fledgling Canadian auto industry. It wasn't until the Auto Pact of '65 that manufacturers had a more stable environment for investing in Canada's auto industry. NAFTA superseded the Auto Pact and Canada benefited as long as our dollar was a .70. Now, Canada has lost more than 200k manufacturing jobs in the past couple years.

Hyundai and Kia, to name two, are enjoying a free ride in Canada. They build nothing here, contribute nothing and are given free access to our market. At least Toyota and Honda are paying lip service to the Canadian auto industry.

it wasn't so much superceded by NAFTA as chunks of it went against WTO rules so the law was tossed or at least ignorned

Just take the summer tires and get a set of steelies with snow tires for the winter. On a high perofrmance car like that, I don't think an all-season tire is going to cut it when you're trying to manueuver through slush and snow. You're better off swapping.

I'd suggest that for any car. after a year, no-season's suck ass in winter.

there goes their marketing claim that all their vehicle's come with AWD

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/30/toyota-...ra-in-baja-500/

bet the exec's in Japan aren't too happy about this.

A special thanks for this article goes out to the following people: The UAW and everyone driving a foreign car. And the democratic controlled U.S. congress for blocking ALL U.S. oil exploration at a time when oil is over $126 a barrel, keeping us reliant on foreign oil. Hate Bush all you want - but this is 100% true. The Democrats are killing this country and blaming it on Bush - yes, he is part of the problem, but look deeper. Pelosi and her cronies are blocking us from our oil. Started under Clinton and has just been re-voted on to block us again. If Gas was $2.00 a gallon, these people would not be loosing thier jobs as demand for trucks would still be high.

right. this has all to do with the supply of oil and nothing to do with speculators driving up the cost, lack of refining capacity. and it sure has nothing to do with the simple mechanism that since oil is traded in USD, the lower it goes, the higher oil prices go.

fact is, there is tons of oil, so supply of crude is far from the problem

Well, the CAW can say what ever they want but the factory WILL close down. GM will have to cover some contract costs, but that will be it. I think it's a joke that Hargrove stated that it is "unfair".Well, it was unfair for me when I could not get hot selling vehicles to sell because the CAW wanted ridiculous benefits. Life isn't fair and the UAW-CAW should not be treated any differently than any other person in the economy. This factory is made to build vehicles that DON'T SELL WELL IN THIS NEW ERA! Why oh why should GM have an obligation to the CAW especially for all the crap that the CAW put GM and their dealers through. As a GM dealer, I for one can't wait to see the gates on that factory to close for good.

normally I'd agree with you, but not this time. Its not like the contract was agreed to years before gas prices started skyrocketing, and you sure don't decide to close a number of plants in a day or two. Which means GM was negotiating in bad faith which leaves a nasty taste in my mouth. That says a lot for me because I'm 99.9% always on GM's side when it comes to GM-union issues.