2016 Camaro brings back 500 jobs at Lansing plant

LANSING – Lansing's Grand River Assembly plant will resume a second shift of 500 jobs in late summer once work begins on the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro, also known as the Camaro Six.

General Motors Co. said in a press release Thursday morning that Camaro Six production is part of a $175 million investment for tooling and new equipment for the muscle car at the plant.

GM will recall the 450 hourly employees who were laid off from the Grand River plant in January after the second shift was cut. Once the automaker determines how many positions are left unfilled, it will begin the hiring process. Most of the laid of employees picked up jobs at plants in Delta Township and Flint.

Facility improvements planned at the Grand River plant include three new paint systems for Camaro-specific colors: Summit White, Bright Yellow and Red Hot. The investment also includes installation of two robotic framers, which allow better dimensional control to provide a more precise drive experience.

The Camaro Six was introduced on Detroit's Belle Isle on May 16. GM hasn't revealed a retail price, but said it will be available in dealerships by the end of this year.

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero said in a statement that preparations for full-scale production of the Camaro is a new high point in the more than two decades of partnership between the City of Lansing, GM and United Autoworkers.

"We build the best cars in the world right here in Lansing, and we're delighted to welcome the 2016 Chevy Camaro to the Lansing-made family of great automobiles," Bernero said.

Thursday's news, along with other announcements over the last four weeks, account for nearly $2.8 billion of the $5.4 billion that GM plans to invest in U.S. facilities over the next three years.

Scott Whybrew, GM's North American manufacturing manager, said in a statement the investments will help the Camaro Six build on the high-quality reputation the muscle car's previous generations had.

The Grand River plant employs 1,292 workers; 1,121 are paid hourly on the one shift operation.

Chevrolet debuted its first Camaro on Sept. 29, 1966. It was offered in two body styles: sport coupe and convertible.

"These investments in the Lansing plants are proof of the teams' quality commitment, to put the customer at the center of everything we do!" Whybrew said.

A Camaro model hasn't been made in the U.S. since the early 1990s. The fifth-generation Camaro was built at GM's Oshawa (Ontario) Assembly plant in Canada. GM announced this month that more than 500,000 of them have been sold since mid-2009.

United Autoworkers Vice President Cindy Estrada said in a statement Lansing should take pride in the work that will be done because UAW members have built vehicles in the community for over 100 years.

"As we help prepare for the launch of the all-new Camaro, we are pleased to continue our tradition of producing quality cars that we love to craft and build and our customers love to drive," Estrada said.

In addition to Camaro production plans, General Motors announced last month a $520 million investment for tooling and equipment to support future new vehicles at its Lansing Delta Township Assembly plant, which makes the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevy Traverse.