May 7, 2002

GM adds third shift, creates 1000 jobs at Oshawa, Ontario plant

Oshawa, Ontario - General Motors of Canada will add a third shift of production to its Oshawa Car Assembly Plant Number 1 which builds the Impala sedan and Monte Carlo coupe. The third shift will create 1,000 jobs for current GM of Canada employees.

"The third shift is being added to meet the very strong North American demand for the Chevrolet Impala, the best-selling passenger car nameplate in Chevrolet history," said Michael Grimaldi, President of GM Canada. "The Plant has earned a reputation as one of the highest quality and most productive assembly plants in North America."

The good news is a welcome turnaround for General Motors of Canada which recently announced plans to close the Camaro/Firebird plant in Ste-Therese, Quebec in September and lay off 1,400 people, and lay off up to 900 people at its engine plant in St. Catharines, Ontario.

Buzz Hargrove, President of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union, said yesterday's announcement is good news for CAW members. "The third shift will add 1,000 jobs to the plant, enabling GM to recall employees in Oshawa and offer preferential hiring opportunities to CAW members at other GM locations," he said. The CAW will begin contract talks this summer with the GM, Ford and DaimlerChrysler.

Oshawa Car Assembly Plant Number 1 has been running on maximum overtime to meet demand for the Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo but even at full overtime, demand continues to exceed production capacity. Over the last several months, GM Canada and the CAW looked at a number of alternatives to improve plant utilization. The third shift is a direct result of a cooperative effort by GM Canada and CAW Local 222, as well as the supplier community.

GM Canada Oshawa Car Assembly Plants employ approximately 5,000 people. Plant #1 produces the Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo. Plant #2 produces the Buick Century and Regal passenger cars. In 2001, they produced 474,000 vehicles.

Launched in 1999, the Chevrolet Impala has become a leader in the competitive mid-size passenger car segment. Impala sales last year soared by 19% in the U.S. and 24% in Canada with GM selling over 226,000 Impalas in North America.

Headquartered in Oshawa Ontario, General Motors of Canada employs 25,000 people nationwide. GM of Canada manufactures a variety of vehicles, engines, transmissions and other components, and markets the full range of General Motors' vehicles and related services through 807 dealerships and retailers across Canada. Vehicles sold through this network include Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Hummer, Saturn, Saab and Isuzu. More information about GM of Canada can be found at '); //-->

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