Canadian car sales up across board
Mar 05, 2008 - 10:57 AM
By Kim Downey
OSHAWA -- General Motors of Canada's Oshawa car plant is increasing production of its Chevrolet Impala, a popular seller in the United States.
U.S. sales for the mid-size car, made only in Oshawa, jumped 7.3 per cent to 311,128 last year.
GM in Oshawa, which normally runs three shifts on weekdays, will run two overtime shifts this Saturday -- the third time this year it has run Saturday production shifts, said GM spokeswoman Patty Faith. The company will build about 42 more cars a day.
The plant now assembles about 1,544 Impalas, Buick Allures and LaCrosses a day. However, the Impala represents more than 70 per cent of the output.
Meanwhile GM's Oshawa truck plant shutdown Monday caused the temporary layoff of 2,400 workers because of the impact of a feeder-plant strike in the U.S.
The Oshawa operation ran out of axle parts last Friday night because of a strike at American Axle and Manufacturing in Michigan. There was no word on whether talks between the parts maker and UAW had resumed. If the strike continues, Ms. Faith said it could cause the shutdown of GM's car plant, which uses parts from American Axle.
The good news in Oshawa was echoed in the industry this week with reports that new vehicle sales and leases industry-wide in Canada set record-setting highs in new car sales and leases in February despite a slowing economy.
Although forecasts predict a decline this year, sales and leases of new autos jumped 14.3 per cent, or almost 14,000, to 110,951 vehicles in February from the same month in February 2007, manufacturers reported Monday.
February's total smashed the previous record of 103,200 in 2003 as every mainstream automaker increased business.
Analysts attributed the industry's sizzling performance in January and February to more price reductions and record incentives in a fiercely competitive marketplace.
-- With files from Torstar Newswire
Recommend :
Latest News
Ajax snowplow, car tangleAJAX -- There was minor damage when a car and a Town snowplow bumped against each other Wednesday morning. The incident happened at about 7 a.m. when the plow turned south...
Gun pointed at woman's head in robberyAJAX -- Two teenaged suspects are being sought by police investigating a street level robbery in Ajax in which a woman had a gun held to her head. The 26-year-old victim told...
Residents oppose north Ajax highriseAJAX -- A developer's plan for a 15-storey condominium was received with less-than open arms during an information session on Tuesday. Dunbury Developments is proposing...
Company hired to help restore St. FrancisAJAX -- A company has been hired to do interior restoration work on the former St. Francis de Sales Church. Rutherford Contracting will be paid almost $104,000 to do the first...
More snow, freezing rain on the wayOSHAWA - Residents should keep shovels handy and snow-blowers tuned up as this latest blast of wintery weather is expected to continue throughout today into the early evening...
Woman forced into van, sexually assaultedOSHAWA -- A woman was sexually assaulted by a man who forced her into his van last Friday in Oshawa. Durham police are seeking assistance in identifying the man, who...
Man reports being shot in AjaxAJAX -- A Scarborough man said he was shot in the hand in Ajax on Monday. Police were called to the Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering Hospital at roughly 3 p.m. on Monday after...
GM still No. 1 despite sales decreaseDURHAM -- Despite a sinking U.S. auto market, the Canadian market managed to stay fairly steady in 2008, says a leading auto analyst. "For the full year, Canada performed...
Four nabbed for warehouse break-inWHITBY -- Four people have been charged after police interrupted a break-in at a Whitby warehouse early Sunday. Durham officers responding to a 2 a.m. alarm call at a South...
Avery Louise helps mom and dad ring in the new yearOSHAWA -- When Dave and Michelle Cylwa arrived at Lakeridge Health Oshawa at 4 a.m. New Year's Day, they figured they'd be in for a long day -- one that would preclude their...