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Page A4 ♦ THE CANADIAN STATESMAN ♦ August 23,2006 durhamregion.com Model launches in 2009 From page A1 Camaro Will be nearly identical to the concept car unveiled to rave reviews in January 2006 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, where it was named best in show. The front-engine, rear-whcel-drive sport coupe will feature an independent rear suspension, and owners will be able to choose between manual or automatic transmission and V-6 or V-8 engines. And while some are concerned that a sports car runs counter to the current consumer trend of buying buying smaller, more fuel-efficient cars, GM's David Paterson is not worried. The vice-president of corporate and environmental affairs says that new technology, like the fuel-man agement systems currently being used in many GM vehicles, show that cars can be both powerful and fuel-efficient. "All the new technology that's helping us to drive great fuel economy right now is all available to us to put into this vehicle," he said. "Already with the Corvette, it has absolutely excellent fuel economy and yet is one of the most powerful cars on the road today. So you can have both and we will have both (in the Camaro)." Production of the car is expected to begin in late 2008 and it will go on sale in early 2009. "It's so exciting that the comeback model will be 2009," said Ms. Hamilton. "It will be nice to have the '09 with exactly 40 years between it and our 1969 version." Hard work pays off at GM From page A1 updated platform to continue being produced. In February of this year, GM gave the CAW a message: message: without future product allocation, no investment investment would be made in the Oshawa plant. "We heard that message clearly," says CAW Local 222 president Chris Buckley. ■ Mr. Buckley led the workers towards signing a cost-cutting agreement that made the plant more economical to operate. The agreement was shelved -- put on hold -- until new products were secured for the plant. With thé Camaro coming to town, that agreement will now be put into place, resulting in reduced relief times for workers as well as the outsourcing outsourcing of non-trades maintenance workers. During the announcement, Mr. Elias credited Oshawa's successful bid for the Camaro to the support support of the union and the co-operation of all levels of government. ' "GM Canada worked very diligently with all of our partners during the past several months to develop a business case to bring this car to Oshawa," he said;. Part of the business case was the corporate tax i relief given to GM by the Region earlier this year, as well as the $235 million kicked in by the Ontario government. Representatives from all levels of government, as well as Premier Dalton McGuinty, were present in Oshawa for Monday's announcement. "To our Canadian auto workers, on behalf of all Ontarians, thank you for the fabulous work you do, day in and day out, we are very proud of your work," Mr. McGuinty said during the announcement, also thanking GM for taking the risk and investing in the future of the Oshawa plant. It is hoped the announcement will stem some of the job loss announced by General Motors in November 2005,. when nearly 4,000 workers were told to expect a pink slip by 2008. GM spokeswoman Patty Faith says it is too early to tell how many people will be employed at the new flex plant because that will be dictated by consumer demand, but she says at a maximum, the plant will mn on three shifts. That is still a difference from the five that are currently currently in place. According to the union, most of the job loss that results from this change will be absorbed through attrition as senior workers accept the early retirement retirement incentive package on offer from General Motors.. Tamara Cripps was working on the assembly line when the announcement was made. "It's fantastic," she said. "It's going to ensure that I have a job in the future." But not all workers are convinced this announcement announcement will bring long-term job security. For those burned by years of GM ups and downs, the good news comes with a mixture of anxiety. "Ya, it's great news, but it could all change on a dime," said Ed Hohmann. i The 22-year GM employee was hesitant to show too much enthusiasm for the shiny new car that is said to represent GM's future in Oshawa. "We will see," he said. "We will see what the future holds." : It's not just what you lose, it's what you gain. E 0 0 ■ c 0 0) 2 E n £ L 3 V * & n LIVE ENTERTAINMENT CL SAT. 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