Hey Guy's,

I have not posted in a long time....However I have been lurking. My question is thus.... For you guy's that know what's going on, when do you think that GM will actually have Camaro at dealerships ready to purchase?

In another thread the date April of 2007 is mentioned as the start of production. Where did this info come from? Is it credible?

FWIW I think GM will have Camaro out soon, they would be foolish not to. Especially with Mopar joining the market.

On another note, have you guy's noticed allot of Ford Ads on TV feature a shot of the Mustang. I have also seen two television ads for Charger!

 

There is no official date for when "GM Mustang competitor" will be in showrooms.

That said, one of Oshawa's plants at this moment has no product scheduled after the 2007 model year.


BTW, FWIW: Dodge Chargers have been in TV commercials for some time. Today I've seen my 1st 3 Chargers on the street. All R/Ts, all Black, and no, they weren't the same cars.

 

And... Wilmington Assembly has plenty of space NOW!

 

So maybe mid to late 07?

As far as the Chargers and just announced Challengers, more of a reason for GM to re-introduce Cam.. oops I mean a Mustang competitor.

 

That would be true if GM made the 5th gen the way they made the 4th & 3rd gen. On it's own chassis in it's own plants.

However, you can probally bet the farm that GM isn't going to make a coupe on a assembly line that doesn't include a sedan. Most likely one that it's based on.

Wilmington is an option, but there are people who want to ensure the 5th gen's future by building it on the same line as a higher volume car.

Ford's done that with the Mustang (built with the Mazda 6).

 

... and coincidentally, aren't negotiations with the CAW about to get rolling as we speak?!?

Best regardSS,

Elie

 

So will we be looking to Canada again for Camaro? I would obviously prefer to have it made in the states, but if comes to the great white north so be it.

 

Oh... who knows at this this point? Pure speculation on my part... fueled by the history involving the relationship between the Camaro name, the (now demolished) Boisbriand plant in Ste. Therese and GM's prior committment to the CAW to build Camaros there until hell freezes over (2015?), because of the loans given to GM from the Canadian and the Quebec governments...
I find it interesting to note (and conicidental?) that nobody within GM seems to want to utter the word "Camaro" at this stage, in reference to the new vehicle. The time for info to be released "officially" is getting closer and closer, and GM is about to enter negotiations with the CAW!
"Make the car in Canada and live up to your committment to employ Canadians in building 'Camaros', since the 2 governments each gave you (I think) $10 million each." If GM can't (or won't) build the car in Canada, then they may have to call it something else.
Maybe I'm way out in left field here... but it is an interesting hypothesis... that the CAW could be holding the trump card in the upcoming negotiations with GM whch might actually determine what the vehicle will be called!
If anyone has further info on this, please enlighten...
Thanks!

Best regardSS,

Elie

 

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the demolition of the plant negate the implications of the contract? That being said I understand that GM was given quite the incentive from the Canadian Government to keep the plant open.
Of course if GM were to build the Camaro in Canada once again, I'm sure it would certainly improve relations with the CAW 1000%!

In regards to the name "Camaro", the whole thing is getting a bit old. I would very much like to purchase a new Camaro soon. I don't want a Mustang, GTO, or Corvette. The new Mustang is a nice car with great performance especially considering the MSRP. The GTO is a really neat car which I actually do like allot. The 04 was neat and the 05 is just that much better, 400 HP awsome! Still though, the GTO is not quite "me". Corvette is a little to expensive, and I have not quite hit that mid-life thing just yet.
The bottom line is Camaro fits me, and damn it I want it back. Sorry that turned into a bit of a rant

So what is the reason GM won't talk about our favorite ponycar? Is it because of the CAW, or is some other unknown reason. Anyone feel free to chime in.

 

GM had the same agreement with the CAW at Ste Therese regarding Camaro/Firebird as it has at Oshawa regarding Impala/Grand Prix. After 2002, There was no mandate to keep the Ste Therese plant open. 2015 is when GM has to repay it's loans from the Canadian government. Trust me, there was no downside in any of this. In fact, IMO, GM went much farther than they had to in ensuring that everyone was satisfied.

No one has any "trump" cards in any of this. There are places GM would "LIKE" to make certain new vehicles, and they may even have certain places planned. But, IF forced, there are other options and backup plans as to where these certain vehicles can be made.

On the CAW side, they have a plant that at this moment is going to be idle with no product begining in 2007 calender year, that involves many many workers. There is also plant capacity at another plant here in the US, but would need additional workers if additional product were added. There is no love lost between the CAW and the UAW.

Get the picture?

 

1. Yes. No plant, no agreement.

2. I'd imagine the CAW would be pretty happy negotiating to get "any" good new product. Especially if the previous version was made there.

3. I don't know how you can say a car you haven't seen fits you or not. You don't know what it's going to look like, how it's going to be configured short of RWD and a V8 in the top car, or what it's going to cost.

Although any new Camaro would probally look great, GM's looking at what sells and what the public wants. If you are expecting an evolution of the cruise missle, oversized doorstop look 4th gen, your'e probally gonna get your feelings hurt.

 

I guess I'm just thinking of what I think Camaro should be, a moderately priced AMERICAN RWD V8 performance car. You know, kind of like Mustang, just not a Mustang. I really like the C6, but I always kinda viewed the Corvette as an "older guy's car". (This despite the fact I'm in my mid 30's. ) It's also a bit cost prohibitive.

In terms of what Camaro will be, I think that GM knows they need to "get it right". At least it pleases me to think that GM knows they can't afford to screw up this up.

I hope I will still be welcome at the sight for saying this but I actually wouldn't mind a retro Camaro. There seems to be some references to the 69, that might be kind of cool. I also agree with you in that I beleive when Camaro comes back it will be stunning.

The 4th gen was neat for what it was. I don't think the evolutution of the cruise missle will sell cars, thus a more appealing formula is needed. On a side note, I LOVED the SS I had, but the doors my god were they huge!! I think that was my least favorite thing about the car..

 

As for the plant in the US- heard Wilmington is the front runner. As for additional workers- there's plenty in the area hire- Baltimore and Linden .

 

2.6 years

 

So as above stated, probably towards the middle or end of 2007?