August 11, 2010 online at www.uawlocal2250.com
From Chairman Mike Bullock: Last night the plant sustained damage from the storm that came through Wentzville. Fortunately no one was hurt as a result. A 40’ by 60’ section of siding was ripped off of the SE corner of stamping, along with a 20’ by 20’ section of roof in the same area. Fan shrouds were damaged on the powerhouse cooling tower and siding was blown off of the west side of the tower. The powerhouse roof was also damaged. A perimeter fence was blown over. A number of plant skylights were broken. Several vans had windows blown out and some had paint damage from rocks blown off of the roof of the plant. Production is not expected to be impacted.
There will be a gate drive tomorrow to support the SOS (Support our Soldiers) ride that will be this Saturday. Once again, the proceeds will benefit Care Packages by DRU and Operation Undergarment.
There will be a Women’s Committee meeting Thursday, Aug. 12 after first shift line time at the Union Hall.
Last week GM announced a $5 million investment in Anderson, Indiana based Bright Automotive, a startup company with plans to build a plug-in hybrid electric van. Bright is considering sites in Indiana and other states for a potential 1,000-worker factory to build up to 50,000 vans a year, company Chairman Reuben Munger said. The vehicle would be targeted for use as delivery or repair vans by companies and use both gasoline and electric engines. Delays in arranging financing have forced Bright to reduce staff and delay its planned 2012 start of mass production by perhaps two years, Munger said. GM Ventures President Jon Lauckner said the Bright van could fill a market niche for a vehicle smaller than the conventional Chevrolet Express. General Motors executives will consider the van, called the Bright Idea, down the road for possible sale through GM's dealer network. Idea would have GM's four-cylinder engine and transmission powering the front axle. An electric motor and lithium-based battery would power the rear axle. When asked how this would affect Wentzville, GM spokesperson Kim Carpenter said, “Not at all”, pointing out that it was a small investment and the company was “very much a startup.” You can go to www.brightautomotive.comfor information about the van.
Future product plans for Cadillac from Automotive News are on the back:
Here's what to expect in Cadillac's 2011-13 model years.
ATS: Cadillac probably will launch its compact car in the 2013 or 2014 model year. The line, based on the new rwd Alpha platform, will have a two-door coupe and four-door sedan at launch, and a convertible is possible nine months later.
The ATS will launch with a 3.0-liter V-6 and will have an available 3.6-liter V-6. All-wheel drive will be an option. A four-cylinder is probable.
CTS: Dealers got the coupe in July. A redesign will be for the 2014 model year at the earliest, when the CTS will move to the rwd Alpha platform from the current Sigma. The next-generation CTS will be shorter.
DTS: This sedan dies after the 2011 model year.
STS: Production ends next year.
XTS: The sedan, larger and more luxurious than the CTS, will debut in the 2012 model year on the front-wheel-drive platform shared with the Buick LaCrosse.
The XTS will launch with a 3.0-liter V-6, but GM may choose to debut its twin-turbocharged V-6 as an option.
Rear-drive flagship: This sedan, aimed at the Mercedes-Benz S class, Audi A8 and BMW 7 series, probably would have available awd. If built, the car could use some parts from the Sigma platform.The earliest the new flagship would debut would be the 2014 model year, one source says.
SRX: The crossover gets freshened for the 2013 model year, with an updated grille and the 3.6-liter, direct-injection V-6 engine currently used by the Chevrolet Camaro.
Large crossover: Cadillac may get a Lambda-based crossover the size of the Chevrolet Traverse or GMC Acadia for the 2013 model year.
Escalade: Cadillac's SUV is due for a redesign in 2013. The next generation will be a 2014 model.
No comments:
Post a Comment