GM to open 1,000 jobs in Oshawa for Cadillac production: reports

A week into the New Year and already there are some bright spots in Ontario’s beleaguered automotive industry: the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association predicted this week that General Motors would expand three new lines in Oshawa, Ont., and create up to 1,000 jobs.

According to the Toronto Sun and other newspaper reports, while GM has not confirmed job estimates for new lines starting between 2011 and 2013, Chris Buckley, president of Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) Local 222, said the expansion was part of tough contract negotiations.

General Motors will build a new Chevrolet Impala model, or a replacement vehicle, in February 2013 and produce a Cadillac sedan in January 2012 at the Oshawa facility, industry officials revealed Tuesday in a "critical automotive intelligence" note.

Keith Osborne, a union staff representative responsible for GM, said though the company has not confirmed the additional products, the association’s information makes "a lot of sense," according to reports from the Toronto Star.

However, after the Tuesday announcement, General Motors denied reports Wednesday that suggested the auto manufacturer could reduce production at its Canadian plants when it adds new car models over the next few years.

"Going forward, we will fully comply with our commitment to the Ontario and federal governments that we will maintain 16 percent of GM’s North American vehicle assembly capacity in Canada," the company said to The Canadian Press in a statement.

GM plans to unveil a Cadillac XTS concept model at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week.

The association’s announcement follows recent auto production announcements by General Motors, regarding producing the 2011 Buick Regal in Oshawa and likely create about 750 jobs, and Toyota, ramping up at its Woodstock, Ont., facility.

GM’s Oshawa plant has 4,600 employees. One shift produces the Camaro muscle sports model on a flexible manufacturing line and two shifts manufacture the current Impala full-size car on another production line.