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{{short description|Vehicle manufacturing facility in Oshawa, Ontario}}
{{short description|Vehicle manufacturing facility in Oshawa, Ontario}}
{{for|the plant closed in 2009|Oshawa Truck Assembly}}
{{Infobox factory
{{Infobox factory
| name = Oshawa Car Assembly
| name = Oshawa Assembly
| image = GM Oshawa.jpg
| image = GM Oshawa 20130526-0223 (8870144503).jpg
| caption = Aerial view of the GM facilities in Oshawa
| image_size =
| alt =
| coordinates = {{Coord|43|52|3.3|N|78|51|59.0|W|region:CA-ON_type:landmark|display=inline title}}
| caption = Entrance to the plant as seen in 2013
| location_map =
| location_map_size =
| location_map_caption =
| location_map_alt =
| coordinates = {{Coord}}
| built =
| built =
| operated = {{Start date|1907}}-present
| operated = 1953–present <ref name=offic/>
| location = 880 Stevenson Road South<br />[[Oshawa]], [[Ontario]]<br />L1J 7C8
| location = [[Oshawa]], [[Ontario]], [[Canada]]
| industry = [[Automotive]]
| industry = [[automotive industry|Automotive]]
| products =
| products = [[car|Automobiles]]
| employees = 1300
| employees =
| area = {{convert|930000|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}
| architect =
| address =
| style =
| buildings =
| area =
| volume = {{convert|5,100,000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} <ref name=offic>[https://www.gm.ca/en/home/company/canada/oshawa.html Oshawa Assembly] on GM Canada</ref>
| address = 900 Park Rd S Oshawa
| owner = [[General Motors Canada]]
| owner = [[General Motors Canada]]
| website = {{url|https://www.gm.ca/en/home/company/canada/oshawa.html|gm.ca/oshawa}}
| defunct =
}}
}}
'''Oshawa Assembly''' (also known simply as ''GM Oshawa'') is a manufacturing facility in the city of [[Oshawa]], [[Ontario]], Canada, that built various [[automobiles]] for [[General Motors Canada]].


'''Oshawa Car Assembly''' (also known simply as ''GM Oshawa'') is a manufacturing facility in the city of [[Oshawa]], [[Ontario]], Canada, that built various [[automobiles]] for [[General Motors Canada]]. Vehicles were primarily produced for the US, Canadian, and Mexican markets, but they also built exports for various countries around the world, particularly South America and the Middle East. Historically the Oshawa plant was the source of all right-hand-drive market GM exports with complete vehicles or [[knock-down kit]]s shipped to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom until the end of the 1960s. At one time, the factory was one of the largest auto manufacturing facilities in the world, with two car assembly plants, a truck assembly plant, as well as parts production including Harrison radiators, [[AC Delco]] batteries (for both GM and other vehicle manufacturers) and [[American Axle]]. Between 1999 and 2019, it had won more quality and productivity awards than any other GM plant. The plant is part of the larger GM Autoplex.
Vehicles were primarily produced for the US, Canadian, and Mexican markets, as well as exports for various countries around the world, particularly South America and the Middle East. Historically the Oshawa plant was the source of all right-hand-drive market GM exports with complete vehicles or [[knock-down kit]]s shipped to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom until the end of the 1960s.


At one time, the factory was one of the largest auto manufacturing facilities in the world, with two car assembly plants, a truck assembly plant, as well as parts production including Harrison radiators, [[AC Delco]] batteries (for both GM and other vehicle manufacturers) and [[American Axle]]. Between 1999 and 2019, it had won more quality and productivity awards than any other GM plant. The plant is part of the larger GM Autoplex.
The facility has over 10 million square feet (930,000 m²) of vacant factory floor. It was converted to a state of the art [[Flexible manufacturing system|flexible manufacturing]] facility in 2008, which involved the consolidation of two car plants under the same roof and the addition of a $1.3B paint shop which can accommodate 27 different body styles, including cars, pick up trucks and vans. Approximately 3,600 hourly and 400 salaried employees were working at the plant, with many more engineers working at GM's [[General Motors Canada#Oshawa Campus|Regional Engineering Centre]] across the road.{{citation needed|date=October 2014}} The hourly-rated workers were represented by their union, [[Unifor]] Local 222. In August 2017, it was rated highly by its employees in The Best Places to Work in Canada rankings by Indeed, garnering 4th spot overall, and 1st for wages and benefits.


The facility has over 10 million square feet (930,000 m<sup>2</sup>) of vacant factory floor. It was converted to a state of the art [[Flexible manufacturing system|flexible manufacturing]] facility in 2008, which involved the consolidation of two car plants under the same roof and the addition of a $1.3B paint shop which can accommodate 27 different body styles, including cars, pick up trucks and vans. Approximately 3,600 hourly and 400 salaried employees were working at the plant, with many more engineers working at GM's [[General Motors Canada#Oshawa Campus|Regional Engineering Centre]] across the road.{{citation needed|date=October 2014}} The hourly-rated workers were represented by their union, [[Unifor]] Local 222. In August 2017, it was rated highly by its employees in The Best Places to Work in Canada rankings by Indeed, garnering 4th spot overall, and 1st for wages and benefits.
On November 26, 2018, GM announced that production of new cars at Oshawa would wind down in 2019 and cease by the end of the year.<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=General Motors Accelerates Transformation |date= November 26, 2018 |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/general-motors-accelerates-transformation-300755112.html |access-date=26 Nov 2018}}</ref> The closure would affect 2,500 union workers and 300 management.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/general-motors-closure-oshawa-assembly-plant-1.4920438|title='They are not closing our damn plant': Union vows fight as GM plans Oshawa closing|last=McLaughlin|first=Amara|work=[[CBC News]]|date=November 26, 2018|access-date=November 27, 2018}}</ref> On May 8, 2019 GM announced they would be spending $170 million ([[Canadian dollar|CAD]]) to transition the plant from vehicle assembly to the production of body stampings and other subassemblies, and would convert 22 [[hectare]]s (220,000&nbsp;m²) of the facility to a [[Proving ground#Civilian Facilities|test track]] for the development of [[self-driving car|autonomous vehicles]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/gm-unifor-oshawa-operations-1.5127356|date=May 8, 2019|access-date=August 7, 2019|title=GM announces $170M investment in Oshawa plant that will save 300 jobs|agency=The Canadian Press}}</ref>


On November 26, 2018, GM announced that production of new cars at Oshawa would wind down in 2019 and cease by the end of the year.<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=General Motors Accelerates Transformation |date= November 26, 2018 |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/general-motors-accelerates-transformation-300755112.html |access-date=26 Nov 2018}}</ref> The closure would affect 2,500 union workers and 300 management.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/general-motors-closure-oshawa-assembly-plant-1.4920438|title='They are not closing our damn plant': Union vows fight as GM plans Oshawa closing|last=McLaughlin|first=Amara|work=[[CBC News]]|date=November 26, 2018|access-date=November 27, 2018}}</ref> On May 8, 2019 GM announced they would be spending $170 million ([[Canadian dollar|CAD]]) to transition the plant from vehicle assembly to the production of body stampings and other subassemblies, and would convert 22 [[hectare]]s (220,000&nbsp;ft<sup>2</sup>) of the facility to a [[Proving ground#Civilian Facilities|test track]] for the development of [[self-driving car|autonomous vehicles]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/gm-unifor-oshawa-operations-1.5127356|date=May 8, 2019|access-date=August 7, 2019|title=GM announces $170M investment in Oshawa plant that will save 300 jobs|agency=The Canadian Press}}</ref>
==History==

The facility had produced vehicles since 1907. It was one of six locations building Chevrolet before it merged with GM in 1918. In January 1918, Oshawa became the first Canadian GM plant to minimize the issue of large scale layoffs by cutting the second shift and alternating day- and night-shift workers at two-week intervals. This system was later adopted at other plants around the continent.<ref name='Wards88'/>
== History ==
The facility had produced vehicles since 1907. It was one of six locations building [[Chevrolet|Chevrolet Motor Company]] automobiles before it was acquired by [[General Motors]] in 1918.<ref name=historych>[https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/gm-buys-chevrolet 2 May 1918 - GM buys Chevrolet] at the History Channel</ref> In January 1918, Oshawa became the first Canadian GM plant to minimize the issue of large scale layoffs by cutting the second shift and alternating day- and night-shift workers at two-week intervals. This system was later adopted at other plants around the continent.<ref name='Wards88'/> The plant later moved to the GM Autoplex facilities in the southern part of the city starting production on November 7, 1953.<ref>{{cite web|title=General Motors' Oshawa Assembly plant: A brief history|date=26 November 2018|author=Jeremiah Rodriguez |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/autos/general-motors-oshawa-assembly-plant-a-brief-history-1.4192810?cache=}}</ref>


From its beginnings, the Oshawa plant supplied right-hand-drive vehicles to international markets in kit form for local assembly, or as completed vehicles until the late 1960s. International markets saw U.S and Canadian-only GM vehicles such as the [[Chevrolet Bel Air|Bel Air]], [[Pontiac Parisienne]], [[Pontiac Laurentian]], and [[Chevrolet Impala]].
From its beginnings, the Oshawa plant supplied right-hand-drive vehicles to international markets in kit form for local assembly, or as completed vehicles until the late 1960s. International markets saw U.S and Canadian-only GM vehicles such as the [[Chevrolet Bel Air|Bel Air]], [[Pontiac Parisienne]], [[Pontiac Laurentian]], and [[Chevrolet Impala]].


In the mid-1980s, GM began a large transformation of the facility, naming the site "Autoplex." The changeover came in three steps, the first being conversion of the truck plant to [[GMT400]] production in 1986. The next step was retooling Line 2 for the new [[GM W platform|W-body]] [[Buick Regal|Regal]], which began production in mid-1987. The final instalment was a long changeover of Line 1 for the [[Chevrolet Lumina]],<ref name='Wards88'>{{cite book |title=Ward's Automotive Yearbook 1988 |publisher=Ward's Communications, Inc |year=1988}}</ref> which went into production on January 8, 1989<ref name='Wards89'>{{cite book |title=Ward's Automotive Yearbook 1989 |publisher=Ward's Communications, Inc |year=1989}}</ref> as a 1990 model.
In the mid-1980s, GM began a large transformation of the facility, naming the site "Autoplex." The changeover came in three steps, the first being conversion of the truck plant to [[GMT400]] production in 1986. The next step was retooling Line 2 for the new [[GM W platform|W-body]] [[Buick Regal|Regal]], which began production in mid-1987. The final installment was a long changeover of Line 1 for the [[Chevrolet Lumina]],<ref name='Wards88'>{{cite book |title=Ward's Automotive Yearbook 1988 |publisher=Ward's Communications, Inc |year=1988}}</ref> which went into production on January 8, 1989<ref name='Wards89'>{{cite book |title=Ward's Automotive Yearbook 1989 |publisher=Ward's Communications, Inc |year=1989}}</ref> as a 1990 model.


[[File:Tour of GM's Oshawa Car Assembly plant, 2011-06-10, IMG 7404 (46731783915).jpg|thumb|Chevrolet Camaro at Oshawa assembly line in 2011]]
The [[Chevrolet Monte Carlo]] and [[Pontiac Grand Prix]] were discontinued in June and November 2007 respectively. The [[Buick LaCrosse]] was discontinued from Oshawa #2 in 2008 and moved to [[Fairfax Assembly]] for 2009. In the fourth quarter of that year, it began producing the new [[Fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro|Chevrolet Camaro]]. Both the [[Buick Regal]] and the Camaro Convertible launched on the Flex Line in the first quarter of 2011. The plant began the production of high performance 2012 Camaro ZL1 and the 2012 Buick Regal GS in 2012 and will build the 2013 [[Cadillac XTS]] in the first quarter of 2012.
The [[Chevrolet Monte Carlo]] and [[Pontiac Grand Prix]] were discontinued in June and November 2007 respectively. The [[Buick LaCrosse]] was discontinued from Oshawa #2 in December 2008 and moved to [[Fairfax Assembly]] for 2010. In the fourth quarter of that year, it began producing the new [[Fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro|Chevrolet Camaro]]. Both the [[Buick Regal]] and the Camaro Convertible launched on the Flex Line in the first quarter of 2011. The plant began the production of high performance 2012 Camaro ZL1 and the 2012 Buick Regal GS in 2012 and will build the 2013 [[Cadillac XTS]] in the first quarter of 2012.


[[Image:2013_Cadillac_XTS_--_2012_DC_1.JPG|right|thumb|The [[Cadillac XTS]] was a product of Oshawa Car Assembly]]
[[File:2013_Cadillac_XTS_--_2012_DC_1.JPG|thumb|left|The Cadillac XTS was a product of Oshawa Assembly]]
In August 2010, the plant began assembling the Chevrolet Equinox in partnership with another GM facility in [[Ingersoll, Ontario]], known as [[CAMI Automotive]]. The metal bodies are made at CAMI, trucked two hours east to Oshawa, where they are inserted on the conveyor just before the paint shop. The bodies are painted and then go through the general assembly process at the Oshawa plant. The entire process was developed as a quick way to respond to high demand for the Equinox product. The CAMI facility does make Equinox and GMC Terrain from start to finish at their own plant, but they did not have the capacity to put more bodies through paint and general assembly.
In August 2010, the plant began assembling the Chevrolet Equinox in partnership with another GM facility in [[Ingersoll, Ontario]], known as [[CAMI Automotive]]. The metal bodies are made at CAMI, trucked two hours east to Oshawa, where they are inserted on the conveyor just before the paint shop. The bodies are painted and then go through the general assembly process at the Oshawa plant. The entire process was developed as a quick way to respond to high demand for the Equinox product. The CAMI facility does make Equinox and GMC Terrain from start to finish at their own plant, but they did not have the capacity to put more bodies through paint and general assembly.


In mid 2018, it was announced that the previous generation of the [[Chevrolet Silverado]] 1500 and the [[GMC Sierra]] 1500 would be sold alongside their successors for the 2019 [[model year]], as the [[Chevrolet Silverado]] 1500 LD and the [[GMC Sierra]] 1500 Limited. Final assembly of these trucks, which would only be sold in Double Cab, Standard Bed form, would occur at Oshawa Car Assembly. This marks the first time since 2009 that Oshawa Assembly ([[Oshawa Truck Assembly]]), which also assembled the [[Chevrolet Silverado]] 1500 and the [[GMC Sierra]] 1500 in Extended Cab form, would assemble trucks. Later that summer, GM also began final assembly of Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD Double Cab models.<ref>https://www.autotrader.ca/newsfeatures/20181106/gm-oshawa-pickup-production-expected-to-run-to-late-2019/</ref>
In mid 2018, it was announced that the previous generation of the [[Chevrolet Silverado]] 1500 and the [[GMC Sierra]] 1500 would be sold alongside their successors for the 2019 [[model year]], as the [[Chevrolet Silverado]] 1500 LD and the [[GMC Sierra]] 1500 Limited. Final assembly of these trucks, which would only be sold in Double Cab, Standard Bed form, would occur at Oshawa Car Assembly. This marks the first time since 2009 that Oshawa Assembly ([[Oshawa Truck Assembly]]), which also assembled the [[Chevrolet Silverado]] 1500 and the [[GMC Sierra]] 1500 in Extended Cab form, would assemble trucks. Later that summer, GM also began final assembly of Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD Double Cab models.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.autotrader.ca/newsfeatures/20181106/gm-oshawa-pickup-production-expected-to-run-to-late-2019/ | title=GM Oshawa Pickup Production Expected to Run to Late 2019 | date=6 November 2018 }}</ref>


On November 26, 2018, General Motors announced the closure of the Oshawa car assembly plant complex ending 111 years of auto manufacturing in Oshawa. The final vehicle, a white GMC Sierra pickup truck, rolled off the assembly line on December 18, 2019.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://business.financialpost.com/transportation/century-of-automaking-last-gm-truck-rolls-off-oshawa-production-line| title = Century of automaking: Last GM truck rolls off Oshawa production line {{!}} Financial Post}} </ref>
On November 26, 2018, General Motors announced the closure of the Oshawa car assembly plant complex ending 111 years of auto manufacturing in Oshawa. The final vehicle, a white GMC Sierra pickup truck, rolled off the assembly line on December 18, 2019.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://business.financialpost.com/transportation/century-of-automaking-last-gm-truck-rolls-off-oshawa-production-line| title = Century of automaking: Last GM truck rolls off Oshawa production line {{!}} Financial Post| newspaper = Financial Post| date = 19 December 2019| last1 = Jackson| first1 = Emily}} </ref>


On November 4, 2020, GM announced “Subject to ratification of the 2020 agreement with Unifor, General Motors plans to bring pickup production back to the Oshawa Assembly Plant. Construction will begin immediately at Oshawa Assembly and will include a new body shop and flexible assembly module, to support a fast response to strong customer demand for GM’s new family of pickup trucks. Oshawa pickup production started on November 10, 2021 when the first Canadian-made Silverado was completed.
On November 4, 2020, GM announced "Subject to ratification of the 2020 agreement with Unifor, General Motors plans to bring pickup production back to the Oshawa Assembly Plant. Construction will begin immediately at Oshawa Assembly and will include a new body shop and flexible assembly module, to support a fast response to strong customer demand for GM’s new family of pickup trucks." Oshawa pickup production started on November 10, 2021 when the first Canadian-made Silverado HD was completed.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/general-motors/2021/11/10/chevy-silverado-gm-oshawa-assembly/6370059001/ | title=GM's Oshawa Assembly plant builds its first Chevy Silverado pickup }}</ref> The Silverado 1500 began production in Oshawa in May 2022.<ref>{{cite web|title=2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 Production Now Under Way At GM Oshawa Plant|date=4 May 2022| author=Sam McEachern | url=https://gmauthority.com/blog/2022/05/2022-chevy-silverado-1500-production-now-under-way-at-gm-oshawa-plant/}}</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
The plant won the J.D. Power Gold Award for initial quality in 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006; as well a numerous other individual awards for the specific models it produces. In 2007, the plant won silver for initial quality, and a Gold Best in Segment award for the Pontiac Grand Prix, and Bronze Best in Segment for the Monte Carlo. In all, the plant has won 19 J.D. Power awards for quality since 1999. In recognition of that achievement, J.D. Power awarded the Founder's Award to the Car Plant in the summer of 2008; it is an award that has been presented only six times in the lengthy history of J.D. Power & Associates. Harbour Consulting rated Oshawa #1 (building the Impala and Monte Carlo) as the second most efficient in North America, the top-rated in the study was Oshawa #2 (building the LaCrosse and Grand Prix).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060602/AUTO01/606020394/1148 |title=Efficient auto factories aren't spared the ax |work=[[Detroit News]] |access-date=June 2, 2006 }} {{dead link|date=May 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} [http://general-motors.blogspot.com.au/2006/06/efficient-auto-factories-arent-spared.html Alt URL]</ref><ref name="Harbour07">{{cite web|date=May 31, 2007|title=The Harbour Report North America 2007|url=http://www.oliverwyman.com/content_images/2007PressRelease_EN.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708035835/http://www.oliverwyman.com/content_images/2007PressRelease_EN.pdf|archive-date=July 8, 2011|access-date=2009-09-11|publisher=Harbour Consulting}}</ref>
The plant won the J.D. Power Gold Award for initial quality in 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006; as well a numerous other individual awards for the specific models it produces. In 2007, the plant won silver for initial quality, and a Gold Best in Segment award for the Pontiac Grand Prix, and Bronze Best in Segment for the Monte Carlo. In all, the plant has won 19 J.D. Power awards for quality since 1999. In recognition of that achievement, J.D. Power awarded the Founder's Award to the Car Plant in the summer of 2008; it is an award that has been presented only six times in the lengthy history of J.D. Power & Associates. Harbour Consulting rated Oshawa #1 (building the Impala and Monte Carlo) as the second most efficient in North America, the top-rated in the study was Oshawa #2 (building the LaCrosse and Grand Prix).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060602/AUTO01/606020394/1148 |title=Efficient auto factories aren't spared the ax |work=[[Detroit News]] |access-date=June 2, 2006 }} {{dead link|date=May 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} [http://general-motors.blogspot.com.au/2006/06/efficient-auto-factories-arent-spared.html Alt URL]</ref><ref name="Harbour07">{{cite web|date=May 31, 2007|title=The Harbour Report North America 2007|url=http://www.oliverwyman.com/content_images/2007PressRelease_EN.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708035835/http://www.oliverwyman.com/content_images/2007PressRelease_EN.pdf|archive-date=July 8, 2011|access-date=2009-09-11|publisher=Harbour Consulting}}</ref>


== Current models ==
== Vehicles produced ==
=== Current models ===
As of September 2022:<ref name=offic/>
* [[Chevrolet_Silverado#Fourth-generation Silverado / fifth-generation Sierra (T1XX; 2019)|Chevrolet Silverado 1500]] (2022–present)
* [[Chevrolet_Silverado#Fourth-generation Silverado / fifth-generation Sierra (T1XX; 2019)|Chevrolet Silverado HD]] (2022–present)


=== Former models (Autoplex/South plant) ===
* [[Chevrolet Silverado]] (2021–present)

==Former models==
[[Image:2010ChevroletCamaro-05-1.jpg|right|thumb|The [[fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro]] was a product of the Oshawa Car Assembly]]
Some of the former models produced at the plant. GM would move production to and from other factories, such as relocating production of their lower selling vehicles to smaller facilities across North America. The Oshawa facility frequently produced the vehicles in the highest demand in North America.
Some of the former models produced at the plant. GM would move production to and from other factories, such as relocating production of their lower selling vehicles to smaller facilities across North America. The Oshawa facility frequently produced the vehicles in the highest demand in North America.
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Chevrolet Silverado]] (2018-2019)
*[[Chevrolet_Silverado#Third-generation_Silverado_/_fourth-generation_Sierra_(K2XX;_2014)|Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LD]] (2019)
*[[GMC Sierra]] (2018-2019)
*[[Chevrolet_Silverado#Third-generation_Silverado_/_fourth-generation_Sierra_(K2XX;_2014)|Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD]] (2019)
*[[Chevrolet_Silverado#Third-generation_Silverado_/_fourth-generation_Sierra_(K2XX;_2014)|GMC Sierra 1500 Limited]] (2019)
*[[Chevrolet_Silverado#Third-generation_Silverado_/_fourth-generation_Sierra_(K2XX;_2014)|GMC Sierra 2500HD]] (2019)
*[[Chevrolet Impala#Impala Limited (2014–2016)|Chevrolet Impala Limited]] (2014-2016)
*[[Chevrolet Impala#Impala Limited (2014–2016)|Chevrolet Impala Limited]] (2014-2016)
*[[Cadillac XTS]] (2013-2019)
*[[Cadillac XTS]] (2013-2019)
*[[Buick_Regal#Fifth_generation_(2008)|Buick Regal]] (2011-2017)
*[[Chevrolet Equinox]] (2010–2017)
*[[Chevrolet Camaro]] (2010–2015)
*[[Chevrolet_Equinox#Second_generation_(2010)|Chevrolet Equinox]] (2011–2017)
*[[Chevrolet_Camaro_(fifth_generation)|Chevrolet Camaro]] (2010–2015)
*[[Buick LaCrosse|Buick LaCrosse/Allure]] (2005–2009)
*[[Buick LaCrosse#First_generation_(2005)|Buick LaCrosse/Allure]] (2005–2009)
*[[Pontiac Grand Prix]] (2004–2008)
*[[Pontiac_Grand_Prix#Eighth generation (2004–2008)|Pontiac Grand Prix]] (2004–2008)
*[[GMC Sierra Denali]] (2005-2006)
*[[Chevrolet Impala]] (2000–2019)
*[[Buick_Century#Sixth_generation_(1997–2005)|Buick Century]] (1997–2005)
*[[Chevrolet Monte Carlo]] (1995–2007)
*[[Chevrolet Monte Carlo]] (1995–2007)
*[[Chevrolet Lumina]] (1990–2001)
*[[Chevrolet Lumina]] (1990–2001)
*[[Buick Regal]] (1988–2004, 2011-2017)
*[[Buick Regal]] (1988–2004)
*[[Buick Century]] (1982–2005)
*[[Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera]] (1985–1988)
*[[Chevrolet Celebrity]] (1982–1990)
*[[Chevrolet Celebrity]] (1982–1987)
*[[Pontiac 6000]] (1982–1988)
*[[Pontiac 6000]] (1982–1988)
*[[Chevrolet Bel Air]] (1976–1981)
*[[Chevrolet Malibu]] (1978–1983)
*[[Pontiac_Bonneville#Sixth_generation_(1977–1981)|Pontiac Bonneville]]
*[[Chevrolet Caprice Classic]] (1971–1990)
*[[Pontiac_Catalina#1977–1981|Pontiac Catalina]]
*[[Chevrolet Monte Carlo]] (1971–1981)
*[[Pontiac LeMans]]
*[[Chevrolet Brookwood]]/[[Chevrolet Kingswood|Kingswood]]/[[Chevrolet Kingswood Estate|Kingswood Estate]]/[[Chevrolet Townsman|Townsman]] (1969–1972)
*[[Chevrolet Brookwood]]/[[Chevrolet Kingswood|Kingswood]]/[[Chevrolet Kingswood Estate|Kingswood Estate]]/[[Chevrolet Townsman|Townsman]] (1969–1972)
*[[Beaumont (automobile)|Beaumont]] 1966-1969
*[[Chevrolet Impala]] (1965–1985, 2000–2019)
*[[Chevrolet Caprice]] (1966–1985)
*[[Acadian (automobile)|Acadian Beaumont]] (1964–1969)
*[[Chevrolet Chevelle|Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS Convertible]] (1964–1965)
*[[Chevrolet Impala]] (1965–1985)
*[[Chevrolet_Chevelle#Chevelle_SS|Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS]] (1966–1967) (Canada only)
*[[Acadian (automobile)|Acadian Beaumont]] (1964–1965)
*[[Chevrolet Chevelle]] (1964–1977)
*[[Pontiac 2+2]] (1964-1970)
*[[Acadian (automobile)|Acadian]] (1962-1971)
*[[Chevrolet Chevy II / Nova]]
*[[Chevrolet Corvair]] (1960–1966)
*[[Pontiac Parisienne]] (1958–1986)
*[[Pontiac Parisienne]] (1958–1986)
*[[Pontiac Laurentian]] (1958–1981)
*[[Pontiac Laurentian]] (1958–1981)
*[[Chevrolet Biscayne]] (1958–1975)
*[[Chevrolet Biscayne]] (1958–1975)
*[[Pontiac Strato Chief]] (1958–1969)
*[[Pontiac Strato Chief]] (1958–1969)
*[[Chevrolet Bel Air]] (1955–1981)
*[[Chevrolet Delray]] (1954-1958)
*[[Chevrolet 150]] (1954–1957)
*[[Chevrolet 150]] (1954–1957)
*[[Chevrolet 210]] (1954–1957)
* [[McLaughlin Motor Car Company|McLaughlin]] Chevrolets from 1916
* [[Pontiac Pathfinder]] (1954-1958)
* McLaughlin Buicks (1907–1918)
* [[Oldsmobile]] (1953-1969) including [[Oldsmobile Cutlass|Cutlass]] and [[Oldsmobile 442|442]]
* [[Buick]] (1953-1971) including [[Buick Special|Special]], [[Buick Skylark|Skylark]], [[Buick LeSabre|LeSabre]], and [[Buick Wildcat|Wildcat]]
{{div col end}}

=== Former models (Oshawa North plant) ===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*1915-1922 [[Chevrolet Series 490]]
*1923-1926 [[Chevrolet Superior]] {{refn|introduction of GM "A" platform.|group=n1|name=gmaplat}}
*1927 [[Chevrolet Series AA Capitol]]
*1928 [[Chevrolet Series AB National]]
*1929 [[Chevrolet Series AC International]]
*1930 [[Chevrolet Series AD Universal]]
*1931 [[Chevrolet Series AE Independence]]
*1932 [[Chevrolet Series BA Confederate]]
*1933 [[Chevrolet Eagle]]
*1933-1942 [[Chevrolet Master]]
*1941-1952 [[Chevrolet Deluxe]]
*[[Chevrolet]] trucks (1919-1965)
*[[Oakland Motor Car Company|Oakland]] (1921-1930)
*[[Pontiac (automobile)|Pontiac]] (1926-1942, 1945-1953)
*[[Oldsmobile]] (1920-1942, 1946-1953)
*[[Marquette (automobile)#Buick brand|Marquette]] (1929-1930)
* [[McLaughlin Motor Car Company|McLaughlin-Buick]] (1907–1942)
* [[Buick]] (1951–1953)
*[[LaSalle (automobile)|LaSalle]] (1927-1930, 1932-1935)
*[[Cadillac]] (1923-1936)
*[[GMC (automobile)|GMC]] trucks (1923-1965)
*[[Samson Tractor#Trucks and a car|Samson trucks]] (1920-1921)
{{div col end}}
;Notes
{{reflist|group=n1}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode=packed heights=120>
Oshawa-20110610-00446 (46731681745).jpg
File:Oshawa-20110610-00412 (32704876797).jpg
Oshawa-20110610-00457 (32704848027).jpg
Tour of GM's Oshawa Car Assembly plant, 2011-06-10, IMG 7426 (32704954377).jpg
Tour of GM's Oshawa Car Assembly plant, 2011-06-10, IMG 7451 (33769962718).jpg
Tour of GM's Oshawa Car Assembly plant, 2011-06-10, IMG 7472 (46731754145).jpg
</gallery>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Oshawa Truck Assembly]] - originally located in the North Plant, later moved on the same site next to Oshawa Car Assembly and closed in 2009.
* [[Oshawa Truck Assembly]] - originally located in the North Plant, later moved on the same site next to Oshawa Car Assembly and closed in 2009.
*[[General Motors Canada]]
* [[General Motors Canada]]
*''[[Final Offer]]'' - documentary film about the 1984 UAW/CAW contract negotiations shows working life on the floor of the Oshawa Plant ([http://www.nfb.ca/film/final_offer/ Watch Online])
* ''[[Final Offer]]'' - documentary film about the 1984 UAW/CAW contract negotiations shows working life on the floor of the Oshawa Plant ([http://www.nfb.ca/film/final_offer/ Watch Online])
*[[List of GM factories]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
{{commons cat}}
* {{official website}}

{{General Motors factories}}
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Oshawa]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Oshawa]]
[[Category:General Motors factories]]
[[Category:General Motors factories]]

Latest revision as of 11:41, 16 November 2024

For the plant closed in 2009, see Oshawa Truck Assembly.
Oshawa Assembly
Entrance to the plant as seen in 2013
Map
Operated1953–present [1]
LocationOshawa, Ontario, Canada
Coordinates43°52′03″N 78°51′59″W / 43.8676°N 78.8664°W / 43.8676; -78.8664
IndustryAutomotive
ProductsAutomobiles
Volume5,100,000 sq ft (470,000 m2) [1]
Address900 Park Rd S Oshawa
Owner(s)General Motors Canada
Websitegm.ca/oshawa

Oshawa Assembly (also known simply as GM Oshawa) is a manufacturing facility in the city of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, that built various automobiles for General Motors Canada.

Vehicles were primarily produced for the US, Canadian, and Mexican markets, as well as exports for various countries around the world, particularly South America and the Middle East. Historically the Oshawa plant was the source of all right-hand-drive market GM exports with complete vehicles or knock-down kits shipped to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom until the end of the 1960s.

At one time, the factory was one of the largest auto manufacturing facilities in the world, with two car assembly plants, a truck assembly plant, as well as parts production including Harrison radiators, AC Delco batteries (for both GM and other vehicle manufacturers) and American Axle. Between 1999 and 2019, it had won more quality and productivity awards than any other GM plant. The plant is part of the larger GM Autoplex.

The facility has over 10 million square feet (930,000 m2) of vacant factory floor. It was converted to a state of the art flexible manufacturing facility in 2008, which involved the consolidation of two car plants under the same roof and the addition of a $1.3B paint shop which can accommodate 27 different body styles, including cars, pick up trucks and vans. Approximately 3,600 hourly and 400 salaried employees were working at the plant, with many more engineers working at GM's Regional Engineering Centre across the road.[citation needed] The hourly-rated workers were represented by their union, Unifor Local 222. In August 2017, it was rated highly by its employees in The Best Places to Work in Canada rankings by Indeed, garnering 4th spot overall, and 1st for wages and benefits.

On November 26, 2018, GM announced that production of new cars at Oshawa would wind down in 2019 and cease by the end of the year.[2] The closure would affect 2,500 union workers and 300 management.[3] On May 8, 2019 GM announced they would be spending $170 million (CAD) to transition the plant from vehicle assembly to the production of body stampings and other subassemblies, and would convert 22 hectares (220,000 ft2) of the facility to a test track for the development of autonomous vehicles.[4]

History

[edit]

The facility had produced vehicles since 1907. It was one of six locations building Chevrolet Motor Company automobiles before it was acquired by General Motors in 1918.[5] In January 1918, Oshawa became the first Canadian GM plant to minimize the issue of large scale layoffs by cutting the second shift and alternating day- and night-shift workers at two-week intervals. This system was later adopted at other plants around the continent.[6] The plant later moved to the GM Autoplex facilities in the southern part of the city starting production on November 7, 1953.[7]

From its beginnings, the Oshawa plant supplied right-hand-drive vehicles to international markets in kit form for local assembly, or as completed vehicles until the late 1960s. International markets saw U.S and Canadian-only GM vehicles such as the Bel Air, Pontiac Parisienne, Pontiac Laurentian, and Chevrolet Impala.

In the mid-1980s, GM began a large transformation of the facility, naming the site "Autoplex." The changeover came in three steps, the first being conversion of the truck plant to GMT400 production in 1986. The next step was retooling Line 2 for the new W-body Regal, which began production in mid-1987. The final installment was a long changeover of Line 1 for the Chevrolet Lumina,[6] which went into production on January 8, 1989[8] as a 1990 model.

Chevrolet Camaro at Oshawa assembly line in 2011

The Chevrolet Monte Carlo and Pontiac Grand Prix were discontinued in June and November 2007 respectively. The Buick LaCrosse was discontinued from Oshawa #2 in December 2008 and moved to Fairfax Assembly for 2010. In the fourth quarter of that year, it began producing the new Chevrolet Camaro. Both the Buick Regal and the Camaro Convertible launched on the Flex Line in the first quarter of 2011. The plant began the production of high performance 2012 Camaro ZL1 and the 2012 Buick Regal GS in 2012 and will build the 2013 Cadillac XTS in the first quarter of 2012.

The Cadillac XTS was a product of Oshawa Assembly

In August 2010, the plant began assembling the Chevrolet Equinox in partnership with another GM facility in Ingersoll, Ontario, known as CAMI Automotive. The metal bodies are made at CAMI, trucked two hours east to Oshawa, where they are inserted on the conveyor just before the paint shop. The bodies are painted and then go through the general assembly process at the Oshawa plant. The entire process was developed as a quick way to respond to high demand for the Equinox product. The CAMI facility does make Equinox and GMC Terrain from start to finish at their own plant, but they did not have the capacity to put more bodies through paint and general assembly.

In mid 2018, it was announced that the previous generation of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the GMC Sierra 1500 would be sold alongside their successors for the 2019 model year, as the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LD and the GMC Sierra 1500 Limited. Final assembly of these trucks, which would only be sold in Double Cab, Standard Bed form, would occur at Oshawa Car Assembly. This marks the first time since 2009 that Oshawa Assembly (Oshawa Truck Assembly), which also assembled the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the GMC Sierra 1500 in Extended Cab form, would assemble trucks. Later that summer, GM also began final assembly of Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD Double Cab models.[9]

On November 26, 2018, General Motors announced the closure of the Oshawa car assembly plant complex ending 111 years of auto manufacturing in Oshawa. The final vehicle, a white GMC Sierra pickup truck, rolled off the assembly line on December 18, 2019.[10]

On November 4, 2020, GM announced "Subject to ratification of the 2020 agreement with Unifor, General Motors plans to bring pickup production back to the Oshawa Assembly Plant. Construction will begin immediately at Oshawa Assembly and will include a new body shop and flexible assembly module, to support a fast response to strong customer demand for GM’s new family of pickup trucks." Oshawa pickup production started on November 10, 2021 when the first Canadian-made Silverado HD was completed.[11] The Silverado 1500 began production in Oshawa in May 2022.[12]

Awards

[edit]

The plant won the J.D. Power Gold Award for initial quality in 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006; as well a numerous other individual awards for the specific models it produces. In 2007, the plant won silver for initial quality, and a Gold Best in Segment award for the Pontiac Grand Prix, and Bronze Best in Segment for the Monte Carlo. In all, the plant has won 19 J.D. Power awards for quality since 1999. In recognition of that achievement, J.D. Power awarded the Founder's Award to the Car Plant in the summer of 2008; it is an award that has been presented only six times in the lengthy history of J.D. Power & Associates. Harbour Consulting rated Oshawa #1 (building the Impala and Monte Carlo) as the second most efficient in North America, the top-rated in the study was Oshawa #2 (building the LaCrosse and Grand Prix).[13][14]

Vehicles produced

[edit]

Current models

[edit]

As of September 2022:[1]

Former models (Autoplex/South plant)

[edit]

Some of the former models produced at the plant. GM would move production to and from other factories, such as relocating production of their lower selling vehicles to smaller facilities across North America. The Oshawa facility frequently produced the vehicles in the highest demand in North America.

Former models (Oshawa North plant)

[edit]
Notes
  1. ^ introduction of GM "A" platform.
[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Oshawa Assembly on GM Canada
  2. ^ "General Motors Accelerates Transformation" (Press release). November 26, 2018. Retrieved 26 Nov 2018.
  3. ^ McLaughlin, Amara (November 26, 2018). "'They are not closing our damn plant': Union vows fight as GM plans Oshawa closing". CBC News. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  4. ^ "GM announces $170M investment in Oshawa plant that will save 300 jobs". The Canadian Press. May 8, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  5. ^ 2 May 1918 - GM buys Chevrolet at the History Channel
  6. ^ a b Ward's Automotive Yearbook 1988. Ward's Communications, Inc. 1988.
  7. ^ Jeremiah Rodriguez (26 November 2018). "General Motors' Oshawa Assembly plant: A brief history".
  8. ^ Ward's Automotive Yearbook 1989. Ward's Communications, Inc. 1989.
  9. ^ "GM Oshawa Pickup Production Expected to Run to Late 2019". 6 November 2018.
  10. ^ Jackson, Emily (19 December 2019). "Century of automaking: Last GM truck rolls off Oshawa production line | Financial Post". Financial Post.
  11. ^ "GM's Oshawa Assembly plant builds its first Chevy Silverado pickup".
  12. ^ Sam McEachern (4 May 2022). "2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 Production Now Under Way At GM Oshawa Plant".
  13. ^ "Efficient auto factories aren't spared the ax". Detroit News. Retrieved June 2, 2006. [dead link‍] Alt URL
  14. ^ "The Harbour Report North America 2007" (PDF). Harbour Consulting. May 31, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 8, 2011. Retrieved 2009-09-11.
[edit]
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