TORONTO, Aug 19 (Reuters) - General Motors Co (NYSE:GM) GM.N will
keep an Oshawa, Ontario assembly line operating until 2017, the
company's Canadian unit said on Wednesday, extending the life of
a line that has been repeatedly scheduled for closure over the
last decade.
GM said it would invest C$12 million to increase Chevrolet
Equinox production and make related changes at the separate CAMI
Assembly, extending production on its consolidated line to 2017.
GM first announced plans to close the consolidated line, one
of its two remaining Oshawa assembly lines, in 2005. It was
scheduled to cease production in 2008, but GM has repeatedly
moved that date. In 2012, it was set to close in 2013. Most
recently, it was expected to shut down in 2016.
The consolidated line also produces the previous generation
Chevrolet Impala. The flex line, GM's other Oshawa line,
produces the current model Impala, Buick Regal, Chevrolet Camaro
and Cadillac XTS.
"This new investment represents a very effective way for us
to meet strong demand for the Chevrolet Equinox and it's
positive news for our community," said Steve Carlisle, president
of GM Canada, in a release.