GM announced that it will invest C$12 million (US$9 million) to increase Chevrolet Equinox production at the Oshawa assembly plant in Ontario, Canada.
The investment will help meet strong demand from North America for the Equinox SUV and will extend plans for ongoing Oshawa Assembly Consolidated Line production to 2017.
“This new investment represents a very effective way for us to meet strong demand for the Chevrolet Equinox and it’s positive news for our community. We are focused on delivering great products for our customers,” said Steve Carlisle, GM Canada president and managing director.
The new investment will also build on GM’s Ontario Equinox “shuttle program,” established in 2010 between GM’s Ingersoll CAMI and Oshawa Assembly operations. CAMI’s Body Shop produces extra Chevrolet Equinox units beyond the plant’s existing capacity to paint and assemble them. Vehicle body assemblies are then shipped to the Oshawa plant for paint and final assembly.
The Oshawa Assembly plant currently builds the Chevrolet Equinox and the previous generation Chevrolet Impala on its ‘Consolidated Line’ as well as the Buick Regal, the current Chevrolet Impala, the Chevrolet Camaro and the Cadillac XTS on its ‘Flex Line’. However, Camaro production will end in November 2015 in Oshawa.
GM has repeatedly announced the closure of the Oshawa Assembly plant’s consolidated line, with the last deadline previously set for 2016. The new investment basically extends the life of the line until 2017.
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