[ccharris9660]

This is another interesting article for us SS enthusiasts.

Is GM Moving Chevy SS Production to North America?

Chad Harris

 

[2074]

doesn't make sense.

 

[Diehard]

This is another interesting article for us SS entusiast.

Is GM Moving Chevy SS Production to North America?

Chad Harris

Yeah...North America as in Mexico maybe.

 

[SlingShot]

It was my understanding that all rear wheel drive cars, with the exception of the Vette will be built at the Lansing plant starting with the 6th gen Camaro.

 

[CaptainDan]

It was my understanding that all rear wheel drive cars, with the exception of the Vette will be built at the Lansing plant starting with the 6th gen Camaro.

Well yeah, but not because "that's the rule".

The 6th Gen Camaro will be on the Alpha platform, so it will be built at the same assembly plant the other Alphas are built at, Lansing (Grand River).

But the current Camaro is a Zeta, and so is the SS (not identical, but related). The idea here is that when the Camaro is pulled out of Oshawa, the SS (and any other related vehicles to be built) could be built there instead.

On the downside, you need more than an assembly plant to built cars. Currently, the SS engine/trans are (pretty much) the only parts on an SS that come from North America. Most of the other parts are built by suppliers in Australia. All that shipping kinda cuts into the cost structure in a big way. And trying to move all that supplier machinery, starting up new supplier sources in NA would also be very costly, and take a while.

 

[SlingShot]

^^^

If the SS is locked in for another two years before the move, who's to say it doesn't move to the Alpha platform if they decide to keep it.

 

[fatboy]

its a possibility

i wouldn't suggest its impossible.

 

[monaroCountry]

Well yeah, but not because "that's the rule".

The 6th Gen Camaro will be on the Alpha platform, so it will be built at the same assembly plant the other Alphas are built at, Lansing (Grand River).

But the current Camaro is a Zeta, and so is the SS (not identical, but related). The idea here is that when the Camaro is pulled out of Oshawa, the SS (and any other related vehicles to be built) could be built there instead.

On the downside, you need more than an assembly plant to built cars. Currently, the SS engine/trans are (pretty much) the only parts on an SS that come from North America. Most of the other parts are built by suppliers in Australia. All that shipping kinda cuts into the cost structure in a big way. And trying to move all that supplier machinery, starting up new supplier sources in NA would also be very costly, and take a while.

IN other words, dont bet on another SS type vehicle to come any time soon from GM.

 

[dz28]

Hard to tell; if the business case is there GM might indulge us...

 

[monaroCountry]

GM has enough trouble sending the ute, wagon, manual, and a few more variants of the VF. I cant see them being able to transplant all the Australian parts manufacturers and processes that they have in Australia.

As for teh SS going to Alpha, well, Alpha is smaller and the packaging not as good. GM wont want it (the SS) to step on Caddy toes, if they were to have it in America. So thats not happening as well. If it does then its going to be a vastly inferior or a clear step down from the Caddy offerings.

 

[jat63]

The big difference for Holden is they can do what ever they want as long as it sells, and target any market level without upsetting other brands, although Holden did get some heat from HSV for making the SSV redline "too good"

 

[Commodoreman2000]

My current understanding is that Cruze production ceases sometime this year, probably fourth quarter and Holden will bump up production to build out extra PPV and SS to have a steady supply until 2017.
I'm hearing rumours that Holden may cease by the end of next year as some local suppliers are struggling to stay afloat and may fold before even this year is out. And that GM are rushing around trying to firm up and may even prop up those parts makers to ensure supply. Another of these measures is to move tooling overseas if need be.

I see it this way, It is in GM's interest if they want to sell cars here (post Holden manufacturing and engineering shutdowns) to ensure Holden stays until 2017 otherwise a lot of consumers won't have faith in their ability to even supply spares and so on if they are struggling to keep it going till '17

If they let it collapse which is very possible now that Ford are down to 80 cars a day soon. The scale is getting harder and harder to maintain. I do think we won't see the Falcon update that is scheduled for the end of the year, I'd be surprised if we did get it.

 

[Pinetree]

My current understanding is that Cruze production ceases sometime this year, probably fourth quarter and Holden will bump up production to build out extra PPV and SS to have a steady supply until 2017.
I'm hearing rumours that Holden may cease by the end of next year as some local suppliers are struggling to stay afloat and may fold before even this year is out. And that GM are rushing around trying to firm up and may even prop up those parts makers to ensure supply. Another of these measures is to move tooling overseas if need be.

I see it this way, It is in GM's interest if they want to sell cars here (post Holden manufacturing and engineering shutdowns) to ensure Holden stays until 2017 otherwise a lot of consumers won't have faith in their ability to even supply spares and so on if they are struggling to keep it going till '17

If they let it collapse which is very possible now that Ford are down to 80 cars a day soon. The scale is getting harder and harder to maintain. I do think we won't see the Falcon update that is scheduled for the end of the year, I'd be surprised if we did get it.

Sad news, Commodoreman2000. Surely wish all parties would work together to fix this and keep Holden there where it belongs and making great cars for both sides of the road. Everyone would benefit.

 

[monaroCountry]

Sad news, Commodoreman2000. Surely wish all parties would work together to fix this and keep Holden there where it belongs and making great cars for both sides of the road. Everyone would benefit.

This has been in the making since Mitsubishi closed.

Holdens old managing director and a whole bunch of Holden sympathizers were forcefully pushed out or pushed to retirement by RenCen. They knew of this and planned for it a long time ago, even when Holden was one of the few shining stars in GM. Out of all top level GM managers only Bob Lutz was really sympathetic, eveeryone in RenCen either didnt like Holden or just didnt care.

Denny Mooney was the first RenCen mole within Holden, he practically forced Holden to follow what GM was doing and their processes, even though Holden was far more effecient and effective at getting things done. In short Denny and every RenCen guy after him tried to bog Holden down, they then cut the number of Commodore variants because they didnt see the point in making a 4WD, a coupe, a one tonner, a crewman, and I think he even tried to prevent the wagon and the long wheelbase from going ahead. Denny and RenCen basically wanted to phase out the Commodore and replace it with other stuff like Cadillac (a few Caddys were actually shipped out). Also Denny gave Commodore sales in the Middle East to Chevrolet (previously Holden handled this), who pretty much ignored the very popular Commdore and tried to sell Chevrolet sourced cars instead (Chevy wasnt as successful with selling Chevrolet sourced cars).

 

[Pinetree]

monaroCountry, yes, had seen some of that in your earlier posts. The way it went down just makes it even sadder. Seems like GM runs off anyone that cares about both customers and performance. Won't even start to give an opinion about politicians and governments. Just wish there was better news for all of you down under, especially the car enthusiasts among you.