General Motors has announced that it will invest an additional $68 million into the company's Oshawaassembly plant to produce the next-generation Chevrolet Impala. Those funds are on top of over $100 million headed toward the facility to help launch production of the Cadillac XTS in the plant. The Impala marks the fifth new model to be manufactured at Oshawa since 2009, and GM says the new investment will secure approximately 350 jobs. The next-generation Impala will be built both in Oshawa and at the GM plant inHamtramck, Michigan, which is also responsible for building the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu.
From what we've heard so far, Impala buyers can expect their new vehicle to be based on a variant of the GM Epsilon 2 platform with a 3.6-liter V6 under the hood. The vehicle may also boast a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, and the GM eAssist system may rear its head as well.
The Oshawa assembly plant currently employs 4,400 workers, and the facility produces the Chevrolet Camaro, Camaro convertible, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Equinox and Buick Regal. The plant recently added two new shifts, thereby securing 1,300 jobs in the process. Hit the jump to view the full press release.
PRESS RELEASE
General Motors will invest $68 million to prepare the Oshawa Assembly Plant to build the next generation Chevrolet Impala, securing approximately 350 jobs.
"With the investments for the Chevrolet Impala and Cadillac XTS, we are taking big steps forward to ensure we maximize the flexible manufacturing facility and high-quality workforce that exist in Oshawa," said Kevin Williams, president and managing director of General Motors of Canada. "We are building on the recent capacity increases, product launches and shift additions at our Canadian operations to affirm that Canada will play an important role in the new GM as we continue to transform our product lineup."
Combined with the recent investment to support the launch of the Cadillac XTS in 2012, GM is committing $185 million to Oshawa, which will create or retain approximately 750 jobs. The next generation Chevrolet Impala is GM's fifth new product commitment to Canada since 2009.
"The Government of Canada made an important decision back in December 2008 to provide significant support to GM," said the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance. "Since then it has become clear this was the right decision. Our support has helped preserve Canada's place in the automotive industry. It has helped protect jobs in communities across Canada in automotive assembly and automotive parts production."
"Our government supported GM as it restructured to respond to the global economic downturn. That support saved thousands of jobs, and kept GM in Ontario," said Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development and Innovation. "Today's announcement shows that GM and Ontario's auto sector are on the right track - GM is securing hundreds of jobs for Ontario families, and Ontario continues to be the top auto manufacturing jurisdiction in North America."
In order to meet customer demand and maximize the flexibility of GM's manufacturing operations, the next generation Chevrolet Impala will be built at both the Oshawa Assembly Plant and the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant.
Oshawa has undergone many changes this past year, recently launching the Buick Regal, Chevrolet Camaro Convertible and Chevrolet Equinox, adding two new shifts and securing 1,300 jobs. The plant employs more than 4,400 people, and also builds the Chevrolet Camaro and Chevrolet Impala.
"Our workforce has always worked hard to exceed expectations and execute exceptional product launches, and we're happy to receive another vote of confidence with this most recent investment," said Dan Hermer, plant manager at the Oshawa Assembly Plant.
"We have a strong track record of quality and productivity in Oshawa where we will continue to build the world's best vehicles," added Chris Buckley, president of the Canadian Auto Workers Local 222.
"With the investments for the Chevrolet Impala and Cadillac XTS, we are taking big steps forward to ensure we maximize the flexible manufacturing facility and high-quality workforce that exist in Oshawa," said Kevin Williams, president and managing director of General Motors of Canada. "We are building on the recent capacity increases, product launches and shift additions at our Canadian operations to affirm that Canada will play an important role in the new GM as we continue to transform our product lineup."
Combined with the recent investment to support the launch of the Cadillac XTS in 2012, GM is committing $185 million to Oshawa, which will create or retain approximately 750 jobs. The next generation Chevrolet Impala is GM's fifth new product commitment to Canada since 2009.
"The Government of Canada made an important decision back in December 2008 to provide significant support to GM," said the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance. "Since then it has become clear this was the right decision. Our support has helped preserve Canada's place in the automotive industry. It has helped protect jobs in communities across Canada in automotive assembly and automotive parts production."
"Our government supported GM as it restructured to respond to the global economic downturn. That support saved thousands of jobs, and kept GM in Ontario," said Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development and Innovation. "Today's announcement shows that GM and Ontario's auto sector are on the right track - GM is securing hundreds of jobs for Ontario families, and Ontario continues to be the top auto manufacturing jurisdiction in North America."
In order to meet customer demand and maximize the flexibility of GM's manufacturing operations, the next generation Chevrolet Impala will be built at both the Oshawa Assembly Plant and the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant.
Oshawa has undergone many changes this past year, recently launching the Buick Regal, Chevrolet Camaro Convertible and Chevrolet Equinox, adding two new shifts and securing 1,300 jobs. The plant employs more than 4,400 people, and also builds the Chevrolet Camaro and Chevrolet Impala.
"Our workforce has always worked hard to exceed expectations and execute exceptional product launches, and we're happy to receive another vote of confidence with this most recent investment," said Dan Hermer, plant manager at the Oshawa Assembly Plant.
"We have a strong track record of quality and productivity in Oshawa where we will continue to build the world's best vehicles," added Chris Buckley, president of the Canadian Auto Workers Local 222.