2012 Buick Verano
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,505
From: Charleston, WV
2012 Buick Verano
Lake Orion, Mich. – General Motors will invest $145 million at the Orion Assembly Center, GM North American President Mark Reuss said today. Orion will be the home to Chevrolet’s new small car and Buick’s future compact sedan – the all-new Verano.
"Verano will bring premium styling, performance and content to Buick buyers wanting a smaller car than Regal," said Reuss. "The investment in Orion Assembly also extends GM's local small car footprint, again increasing the number of U.S.-made small vehicles available in showrooms."
The investment to retool the facility will retain 1,550 hourly and salaried jobs at Orion, along with 120 jobs at Pontiac Metal Center. In June 2009, GM announced that Orion would build the next-generation of Chevrolet’s new small car. The total investment for that program is approximately $600 million, which includes the Verano.
GM has worked closely with the United Auto Workers to create new and innovative contractual language that will allow this facility to be flexible and lean – essential elements in the highly competitive, small car market segment.
“The UAW welcomes the news of an additional vehicle being allocated to the Orion Assembly Plant. Building small cars in the United States is very important to the UAW, Oakland County, and the State of Michigan,” said Joe Ashton, UAW vice president of the GM Department.
“Given the opportunity, our members can use their expertise and experience to build high-quality, affordable vehicles for American consumers. I would like to extend my congratulations to the members of UAW Locals 653 and 5960 for all their hard work to make this important project a successful one.”
Verano adds a premium compact entry into the market, expanding the portfolio of what is currently the fastest-growing mainstream brand in the United States.
Orion Assembly is in the process of retooling the plant, which last built GM midsize sedans, for future small cars. The improvements are expected to be finished by summer 2011.
Over its more than 27-year history, the Orion plant team members have built more than 4 million cars for GM, while setting an industry record of 10 million man hours of continuous operation without a work day lost to injury. The plant also was the first GM facility to receive the Clean Corporate Citizen designation by the State of Michigan.
No further details on production or timing for the Verano and Chevrolet’s new small car are available at this time.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,600
From: Pewee Valley, KY
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
Buick is now the fastest growing nameplate in the United States (yes I'm including imports)...... and shocking thing is that.... even I'm warming up to them.
The new LaCrosse has grown on me each time I see one on the streets. The Regal is only a performance version away from becoming the new SVT Contour (the last small FWD sedan I'd actually buy myself... if I were to buy a FWD sedan).
I used to say that Cadillac and Corvette were the only things that GM was doing right. I also was once flaberghasted that GM killed Pontiac and kept Buick.
I can now gladly say that GM is doing a great job with Buick, and they truly made me eat my words with my criticism on keeping Buick. Keep it up!
The new LaCrosse has grown on me each time I see one on the streets. The Regal is only a performance version away from becoming the new SVT Contour (the last small FWD sedan I'd actually buy myself... if I were to buy a FWD sedan).
I used to say that Cadillac and Corvette were the only things that GM was doing right. I also was once flaberghasted that GM killed Pontiac and kept Buick.
I can now gladly say that GM is doing a great job with Buick, and they truly made me eat my words with my criticism on keeping Buick. Keep it up!
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,224
From: CNY
I don't think so at all.
The Astra looks like the Cruze hatchback that we're not getting and everybody here seemed to like that.
The question is, will the Buick be a 5-door hatch? Or just a sedan, because I didn't see a sedan in the Astra site.
And what became of the Buick Excelle that we saw a few months ago? Ya know, that ugly version of the Cruze for the Asian market.
I thought this Verano was the Excelle.
The Astra looks like the Cruze hatchback that we're not getting and everybody here seemed to like that.
The question is, will the Buick be a 5-door hatch? Or just a sedan, because I didn't see a sedan in the Astra site.
And what became of the Buick Excelle that we saw a few months ago? Ya know, that ugly version of the Cruze for the Asian market.
I thought this Verano was the Excelle.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 632
From: NC
(Oh, and that sarcasm isn't directed at you Guy, it's directed at GM)
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 632
From: NC
I don't think so at all.
The Astra looks like the Cruze hatchback that we're not getting and everybody here seemed to like that.
The question is, will the Buick be a 5-door hatch? Or just a sedan, because I didn't see a sedan in the Astra site.
And what became of the Buick Excelle that we saw a few months ago? Ya know, that ugly version of the Cruze for the Asian market.
I thought this Verano was the Excelle.
The Astra looks like the Cruze hatchback that we're not getting and everybody here seemed to like that.
The question is, will the Buick be a 5-door hatch? Or just a sedan, because I didn't see a sedan in the Astra site.
And what became of the Buick Excelle that we saw a few months ago? Ya know, that ugly version of the Cruze for the Asian market.
I thought this Verano was the Excelle.
Not sure on the hatch, but I think it'd be cool if GM offered the hatch as well.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,376
From: Sarasota FL
Car looks good, and it will be nice to have something smaller even more upscale than a Cruze. My wife and I sat in a Cruze at the Big E last week, and thought it was pretty nice. A little bland outside, but the inside was nice. Make it even fancier (albeit at a higher price point), and this as well as the Regal would be the only 2 GM cars we'd consider.
I will say, Orion UAW workers aren't happy about this, as they are striking today because some of their recalled jobs will be at $14/hr
Lets see now...no dollars an hour versus $14....hmmm...
It almost makes me ashamed to buy American when I see asinine things like that. Yes, I know $14/hr sucks, but it beats unemployment...
I will say, Orion UAW workers aren't happy about this, as they are striking today because some of their recalled jobs will be at $14/hr
Lets see now...no dollars an hour versus $14....hmmm...It almost makes me ashamed to buy American when I see asinine things like that. Yes, I know $14/hr sucks, but it beats unemployment...
Registered User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,043
From: Shelbyville, IN
14/hr sucks but not terrible pay for unskilled labor. Try to find another job that pays even that much for the skill required. Tranmission plant local to me starts at 11/hr and makes a lot of GMs castings. But that's another subject and probably a thread grenade... 
