GM to make 2016 Camaro in USA; adding 500 Mich. jobs
LANSING, Mich. — General Motors (GM) announced Thursday that the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro will be built at its Lansing Grand River Assembly plant, resuming a second shift of 500 jobs to the Michigan plant.
A Camaro model hasn't been made in the U.S. since the early 1990s. The fifth-generation Camaro was built at GM's Oshawa (Ontario) Assembly plant in Canada.
The sixth-generation muscle car was unveiled May 16 at Belle Isle Park in Detroit. GM has yet to reveal a retail price, but said the Camaro will be available in dealerships by the end of this year.
Work will begin on the Camaro Six in late summer.
In a news release Thursday morning, the Detroit-based automaker said that Camaro Six production is part of a $175 million investment for tooling and new equipment for the muscle car at the plant.
GM will recall the 450 hourly employees who were laid off from the Grand River plant in January after the second shift was cut. Once the automaker determines how many positions are left unfilled, it will begin the hiring process. Most of the laid off employees picked up jobs at plants in Delta Township and Flint.
Facility improvements planned at the Grand River plant include three new paint systems for Camaro-specific colors: Summit White, Bright Yellow and Red Hot. The investment also includes installation of two robotic framers, which allow better dimensional control to provide a more precise drive experience.
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero said in a statement that preparations for full-scale production of the Camaro is a new high point in the more than two decades of partnership between the City of Lansing, GM and United Autoworkers.
"We build the best cars in the world right here in Lansing, and we're delighted to welcome the 2016 Chevy Camaro to the Lansing-made family of great automobiles," said Bernero.
Thursday's news, along with other announcements over the last four weeks, account for nearly $2.8 billion of the $5.4 billion that GM plans to invest in U.S. facilities over the next three years.
Scott Whybrew, GM's North American manufacturing manager, said in a statement the investments will help the Camaro Six build on the high-quality reputation the muscle car's previous generations had.
The Grand River plant employs 1,292 workers; 1,121 are paid hourly on the one shift operation.
Chevrolet debuted its first Camaro on Sept. 29, 1966. It was offered in two body styles: sport coupe and convertible.
"These investments in the Lansing plants are proof of the teams' quality commitment, to put the customer at the center of everything we do," said Whybrew.
GM announced this month that more than 500,000 of the fifth-generation vehicle built in Canada have been sold since mid-2009.
The last Camaro was made in the United States on Aug. 28, 1992. The Camaro Six is the first Camaro that will be made in Michigan.
United Autoworkers Vice President Cindy Estrada said in a statement that Lansing should take pride in the work that will be done because UAW members have built vehicles in the community for more than 100 years.
"As we help prepare for the launch of the all-new Camaro, we are pleased to continue our tradition of producing quality cars that we love to craft and build and our customers love to drive," said Estrada.
In addition to Camaro production plans, General Motors announced last month a $520 million investment for tooling and equipment to support future new vehicles at its Lansing Delta Township Assembly plant, which makes the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevy Traverse.