General Motors Co. officially announced las Monday the opening of 500 job slots - both hourly and scheduled - as well as a third shift in their Grand River Assembly plant in Lansing.
The move is in line with their goal to meet the expected demand for the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro. This will also likely increase the workforce to more or less 2300 once the hiring has been completed.
Hiring for the third shift has begun and is expected to begin in the second quarter of this year.
The new Camaro began shipping to customers in November. The Lansing plant also produces the Cadillac ATS and CTS.
GM spokeswoman Erin Davis said the company is confident that they have enough applications to fill the 500 positions.
The production of the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro was moved to Lansing plant from Oshawa Assemly pplant located in Ontario. Furthermore, the shipping of this sixth-generation Camaro begun in November of last year. The Lansing plant is also responsible for building the Cadillac CTS and ATS and V-series performance versions. Thus, this will be make even the new hires most likely busy.
"This is an exciting time at LGR. We just added the Chevrolet Camaro to our vehicle lineup and now we get to expand the UAW-GM family, which will bring the plant to full capacity," said Mike Green, president of UAW Local 652. "What a great way to start the New Year," he added. Green considers this move a huge step for them especially that it is the " first time the plant has been fully utilized since it was brand new."
It can be recalled that GM temporarily laid off about 350 hourly workers (second shift) at the Lansing plant last November 2014. However, the shift was recalled when GM the production of the sixth-gen Camaro was transferred to their plant.
