Another Bad Sign For Oshawa As GM Moves Chevrolet Equinox To Mexico

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

News that GM will be sending some production of the Chevrolet Equinox to their Ramos Arizpe, Mexico plant passed without much fanfare – GM’s PR machine was much more interested in touting the move of the Cadillac SRX to Spring Hill, Tennessee. While the Equinox’s move to Mexico will backfill capacity at that plant, it spells another blow for the future of GM’s Oshawa, Ontario plant.

The Equinox (and its GMC Terrain twin) is primarily built at GM’s CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario. Currently overflow production is handled by Oshawa and Spring Hill. For the next generation, Ingersoll and Ramos Arizpe were in direct competition for the new crossovers, with Ingersoll eventually winning out.

The Theta crossovers (as the Equinox and Terrain are known internally) have been a big success for GM, necessitating the overflow production at two sites. But with the move to Mexico, it’s merely another bad sign for Oshawa, which has had a succession of product moving away from the plant, and absolutely nothing in the way of investment announcements or product commitments.

At this rate, Oshawa’s closing in 2016 (when GM’s bailout-related obligations to the Canadian government expire) is almost a certainty.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Tuffjuff Tuffjuff on Aug 29, 2014

    My venerable 2013 Chevy Equinox, the only vehicle (and one of the only years of Equinox production) that GM hasn't recalled, that I'm aware of.

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    • Johnhowington Johnhowington on Aug 30, 2014

      only that it is producing the worst oil UOAs in recent history.

  • Turboprius Turboprius on Aug 30, 2014

    That Captiva my parents had for a week in the winter was actually a pretty good car. A lot better than what I'd read on here. Granted, theirs' only had 3K, but I liked it (except for the awful stereo). Mexican, old GM right there. Maybe GM could keep the Captiva, freshen the styling, and modernize it. By modernize, I mean MyLink, collision avoidance systems, premium audio, ventilated seats, modern GM interior appointments, etc. 32 max for an LTZ V6.

  • Nick Nick on Aug 30, 2014

    I am well aware of the realities of business. However, it seems every company desperately wants loyal customers, but they haven't got the slightest loyalty to employees or communities. On the one hand, I've actually considered buying an Impala for my daily driver and in some way I'd be contributing to the Oshawa assembly plant. On the other hand, I'd bitterly resent putting money in GMs pocket if closing Oshawa is their intention.

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    • AFX AFX on Aug 31, 2014

      @Lou_BC "Maybe the UAW should unionize heavy manual labour since they aren’t having much luck with the transplants." Or Manuel labor. I heard Ford is changing their advertising slogan to "Quality is job Juan".

  • AFX AFX on Aug 31, 2014

    So much negativity about GM sending jobs to Mexico !. You guys are looking at it from the wrong angle. These days it seems everybody is complaining about the flood of illegal immigrants across the border from Mexico into the USA. What GM is doing here is trying to stem that flow of illegal immigrants by sending USA jobs to Mexico, thereby eliminating any desire for Mexicans to want to come to the USA. It's a BRILLIANT move on GM's part, no jobs in the USA means no illegal immigrants crossing the border looking for work here. You guys should be thankfull that GM cares so much about this country !. The only difference in product quality from the vehicles being made in Mexico is that Equinox owners can expect to find Corona beer bottles inside their car doors, instead of labatt or Molson cans.

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