Oshawa, Ontario – GM executives are smiling after the announcement that Camaro sales were nearly 30-percent stronger than the Mustang’s through the first quarter of 2010. Such success has helped the #1 American automaker get out of its post-bankruptcy hell.
In fact, the positive sales results of this modern-day pony car are putting a lot of Canadians in a good mood, starting with GM workers at the Oshawa assembly plant. The new reality appeared right before our eyes as we toured the facility along with GM Canada representatives and other members of the media.
Never have we seen so many employees smile and openly talk to journalists. Actually, never has an automaker provided us with that much freedom. More than a plant, the Oshawa facility was about enthusiastic employees who happily let us watch their every move and shared their experience on the assembly line. You seldom see those sorts of things in today’s hyper-unionized North American auto industry.
Intertwined histories
Oshawa and GM go hand in hand like hot dogs and baseball. The history of this Ontario city is closely linked to GM’s since Canadian Samuel McLaughlin decided to start building Buicks there. That was more than 100 years ago!
Decades went by and McLaughlin Motor Car Company prospered into GM Canada, which kept operating in the shadow of the supposedly-invincible American auto giant until last year’s near demise that sent shockwaves across the land, particularly through the tight-knit Oshawa community.
Some say this debacle was a foregone conclusion after the 2008 announcement that Oshawa’s Number 2 assembly plant (home of the Silverado and Sierra) would be closing. At the very least it added fuel to a fiery situation at GM Canada as its parent company looked for new ways to address the challenges of globalization.
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| A "Synergy Green" Chevy Camaro rolls on the Oshawa assembly line. Introduced at the 2009 SEMA Show, this special color is exclusive to V6-powered 1LT models. In 2011, it will become available with every Camaro. (Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |
In fact, the positive sales results of this modern-day pony car are putting a lot of Canadians in a good mood, starting with GM workers at the Oshawa assembly plant. The new reality appeared right before our eyes as we toured the facility along with GM Canada representatives and other members of the media.
Never have we seen so many employees smile and openly talk to journalists. Actually, never has an automaker provided us with that much freedom. More than a plant, the Oshawa facility was about enthusiastic employees who happily let us watch their every move and shared their experience on the assembly line. You seldom see those sorts of things in today’s hyper-unionized North American auto industry.
Intertwined histories
Oshawa and GM go hand in hand like hot dogs and baseball. The history of this Ontario city is closely linked to GM’s since Canadian Samuel McLaughlin decided to start building Buicks there. That was more than 100 years ago!
Decades went by and McLaughlin Motor Car Company prospered into GM Canada, which kept operating in the shadow of the supposedly-invincible American auto giant until last year’s near demise that sent shockwaves across the land, particularly through the tight-knit Oshawa community.
Some say this debacle was a foregone conclusion after the 2008 announcement that Oshawa’s Number 2 assembly plant (home of the Silverado and Sierra) would be closing. At the very least it added fuel to a fiery situation at GM Canada as its parent company looked for new ways to address the challenges of globalization.
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| On the left of the white-colored coupe is a stripped-down yellow body structure belonging to a future Camaro Convertible. (Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |