February 2011 GM High-Tech Performance News - The Buzz

New Sports Sedan?
In lieu of GM's success, the rumor mill has certainly been churning with talk of new models. Certainly the Camaro Z28 is at the top of the list, but what about a Zeta-based rear-wheel-drive sedan to replace the G8? The latest is that the revised 2012 Holden Commodore will serve as the basis for a new Chevy "SS sedan" to be imported from Australia in limited runs, and in a high-performance version only (akin to the former G8 GXP, which Holden was also responsible for). If said plans go into effect, the sedan would be a 2012 model meaning it would hit showrooms between August 2011 and January 2012. Word is that the "Premium Zeta" chassis is also still in development, which would provide the foundation for a flagship Cadillac sedan.

2011 Camaro Convertible #2 Auctioned for Charity
The YMCA of Southern Nevada was happy to collect over six figures from GM, who auctioned the second 2011 Camaro convertible to roll off the assembly line (in early 2011) to help the organization. GM partnered with Greg Heinrich of Fairway Chevrolet in Las Vegas to offer this historic vehicle at the Barrett-Jackson Auction on Friday, September 24th at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. The winning bid was $205,000 and the new owner has their choice of options including delivery. It can either be delivered to their local dealership for pickup or to the GM Heritage Museum in Detroit.

GM Adds 483 Jobs at Spring Hill Engine Plant
With a push towards more fuel efficient vehicles, GM will be ramping up production of the Ecotec motor with an increased staff at the Spring Hill, Tennessee, plant. GM also plans to spend $483 million building current and next-generation four-cylinders at this plant, which has no doubt made the local UAW very happy. The increased staff will be drawn from a pool of previously laid off employees, in accordance with the UAW-GM labor agreement. GM N.A. President Mark Reuss said, "The engines built in Spring Hill will drive the success of GM to meet our customer demands for advanced powertrains which offer high fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance. This new commitment to the Spring Hill team will help GM almost triple its North American production volume of four-cylinder engines with direct injection by 2012." The bulk of this investment, $460 million and 453 jobs, are planned for next-generation Ecotec engines.