Why is the Camaro built in Canada?

[mikel441]

There are multiple threads on this. There is more too it though. It's kind of a can of worms. Here is some wiki info on St. Therese and other GM plants. For your reading pleasure.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sainte-...%A8se_Assembly

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...tors_factories

[SSLarry]

Originally Posted by 67motorcat

So is that why Canadian owners pay 5K to 8K more up there for thier Camaro's.
Or is it additional sales tax?

The retail cost of a car in Canada is more than just the US value of parts and labor used to make the car. Things like exchange rates (though not lately), cost of doing business in Canada, cost of transport, hidden fees and taxes buried into the manufacturing chain.

Then there's the simple fact that Canadians are willing to pay more for a car than they are in the US. Otherwise, they wouldn't pay $5K to $6K more. That of course means they buy less of other things to compensate. Still, the cost of Camaro ownership, when you count the cost of fuel is a bit astounding. Which means Canadian Camaro owners are even more devoted than we are down here. Hats off to ya.

[guiLT]

Originally Posted by JUISSD

You know Mexico is in North America too right?

DOH!

[98_Camaro]

Originally Posted by JUISSD

You know Mexico is in North America too right?

Aw, somebody beat me to the punch.
Pretty big though.

[texcraig]

The window sticker on mine says, Car-Canada, Engine-Mexico V6), Trans-France (Auto). I had thought the engines were made in St Catherine Can, and the Trans in USA. Oh well, so much for that.

[Mr. Wyndham]

All good answers in here.

In short --

• OUTSTANDING Quality ratings
  
• It was a plant in need of work at the time
  
• Possible outstanding agreements between the CAW and GM resulting from the closure of the Camaro's last assembly plant in St. Therese...(ONLY a guess)
  
• Oshawa was a prime contender for the flex-plant conversion

I'm sure there are others, but that's what comes to mind, quickly.

[JUISSD]

Originally Posted by SSLarry

The retail cost of a car in Canada is more than just the US value of parts and labor used to make the car. Things like exchange rates (though not lately), cost of doing business in Canada, cost of transport, hidden fees and taxes buried into the manufacturing chain.

Then there's the simple fact that Canadians are willing to pay more for a car than they are in the US. Otherwise, they wouldn't pay $5K to $6K more. That of course means they buy less of other things to compensate. Still, the cost of Camaro ownership, when you count the cost of fuel is a bit astounding.

They pay more because of taxes and because the Canadian government hasn't changed pricing on anything due to the falling USD. The USD and CAD are now equal but all the pricing reflects a strong USD from years ago. Some Canadians are willing to pay the premium because they don't have any choice unfortunately.

[SSLarry]

MSRP's (Canadian/US)

1LS $29,040 / $22,680 (+28%)
1LT $30,240 / $23,880 (+27%)
2LS $30,630 / (n/a)
2LT $34,680 / $27,225 (+27%)
1SS $39,240 / $30,945 (+27%)
2SS $44,080 / $34,295 (+29%)

Add to each one even more: 13% sales tax (in Ontario).


ouchy.

[boltmark]

Originally Posted by brooks35

First I must say.....This is not at all a negative comment about the Canada group that does such an awsome job building our cars.
I was just wondering what the reason was that the build location for the Camaro itself, and the motors that are in them, is in Canada? Again I hope I am not coming across as being negative in any way......Just looking to be educated as to the reason. I know labor overseas is next to nothing but I don't think this is a reason, but I am not sure.

Canada no my knowledge is not considered overseas?

[rollinhard]

Originally Posted by jpizzle007

Wish they were built in the same plant as the ZR-1. I was not aware they were built in Canada when I bought mine, was very disappointed when I found that out.

And then you put on Canadian exhaust how disappointing haha

[Cbrenthus]

Seriously, you all don't know the REAL reason?

Chevy always planned to build the Camaro in the USA, but somewhere in the documentation process for how to assemble them, all the "ou"s got changed to "oo"s and a bunch of extra "a"s were added. Before they knew it, hundreds of assembly instructions were printed with these errors for the workers to use to assemble the cars. Rather than reprint, it was much cheaper to just find people who would understand what was written

[RJT2SSRS]

Originally Posted by chuckstacamaro

At least the Camaro is being built in North America and NOT in Ford South of the Border Mustang land

Actually the Mustang is built in Flat Rock MI at the AUTO ALLIANCE PLANT along with the Mazda 6.

[fielderLS3]

For a lot of years, the Canadian Dollar was much weaker than the US dollar. So a whole lot of plants were built up there to take advantage of cheaper labor without having to ship cars in from overseas. (GM and Chrysler both have a crap load of plants up there). The exchange rate has balanced out recently, but the production facilities are all still there, and probably newer on average than the US facilities, so why not use them?

Originally Posted by 67motorcat

So is that why Canadian owners pay 5K to 8K more up there for thier Camaro's.
Or is it additional sales tax?

Again, for many years, the exchange rate kept Canadian prices higher. That's evened out now, but if buyers are conditioned/used to the higher prices, why not continue to make a premium if you can?

[OUR72GTO]

GM of CANADA was formed in 1918 in Oshawa.

For then ten years before that the Buick was made there. It had even then a reputation for building a superior product.

GM of Canada did not go bankrupt in 2009.

End of Story.