Though recognized as an icon of Americana, the Chevrolet Camaro has a dirty little secret that casual fans of the car probably don’t know: the current version isn’t built in the United States. Since the new model was launched in 2009, production has been handled exclusively by GM’s Oshawa Assembly Plant, located in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada.
That changes when the next generation of Camaro begins production sometime in 2014. Assembly will be moved to General Motor’s Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant in Lansing, Michigan. The official reason is “lower capital investment and improved production efficiencies,” but the issue is far more complex that a simple sentence makes it sound.
First, the Zeta-platform Camaro is the only rear-drive car built on the Oshawa line, which adds to the complexity of assembly. When production shifts to Lansing, the next-generation Camaro will be built alongside other rear-drive cars, such as the Cadillac ATS and the Cadillac CTS. Word is that the next Camaro will also share GM’s Alpha platform with the Cadillac ATS, so building both under the same roof makes good financial sense.
Also, don’t forget that you can get discounted new car pricing with a free quote through qualified local dealer partners.
As for the Oshawa plant, the trade-off is that it will continue to produce the Chevy Impala when the next generation launches in 2014. The Impala will join other Oshawa-built front-wheel drive cars, including the Cadillac XTS, the Chevy Equinox and the Buick Regal.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
