GM to Invest $336 Million in Detroit-Area Plant to Build Chevrolet Volt

General Motors is planning to invest $336 million in its Detroit-Hamtramck factory to produce the new Chevrolet Volt electric car next year, bringing the combined Volt-related investments in eight different facilities in Michigan to a total of $700 million. The Detroit-Hamtramck plant will be the final assembly location for the Volt, using tooling from Grand Blanc, lithium-ion batteries from GM's Brownstown Township battery pack manufacturing facility, camshafts and connecting rods from Bay City, and stampings and the Volt's 1.4L engine-generator from Flint.

"We expect the Detroit-Hamtramck plant will be the first facility in the U.S. owned by a major automaker to produce an electric car. It is the hub for the wheel that we began rolling in 2007 when the Volt debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit," said Jon Lauckner, GM vice president of global product planning.

The Detroit automaker said that in order to reduce cost and maximize flexible manufacturing techniques, certain equipment for Volt production is being reused from other GM facilities and installed in the Detroit-Hamtramck plant's body shop while the car itself will be built on the existing assembly line at Detroit-Hamtramck..

General Motors plans to begin the assembly of Volt prototype models next spring, with regular production scheduled to start in late 2010.

Twisted Tuning: 1969 Chevy Camaro SS Modded After the... New Camaro

In what could be one of the weirdest project cars we've ever shown you on Carscoop, this here is a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS that has been modified to resemble GM's 2006 Camaro Concept which previewed the 2010 production car. Ironically, the styling of both the concept and production versions of the new Camaros are heavily based on the 1969 model... More caricatures photos and the creator's description of the car after the jump.

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Danz Custom Description of the Camaro:

"This is a 1969 Danz Camaro SS concept car. I built the car in 2006. In 2006 the new Camaro was just a concept with no definite plans to go to production. I took a real 1969 Camaro and modified it to look somewhat like the 2006 concept Camaro.

Thinking that I would have the only one in the world if the Camaro never went to production. I combined the original 69 Camaro design with the 2006 concept Camaro design, with my own designs. Especially the hood scoop and rear spoiler design are my own. I gave GM pictures of my car in Jan 2007.

It appears that the 2010 SLP Camaro has a simular designed hood scoop and rear spoiler to my car. To power my car I went with a 427 small block with the vintage dual 4-barrel crossram manifold and carbs. I went in that direction because I wanted the legendary 427 cubic inch and also to use the vintage dual 4-barrel crossram. Backed with a 700 r transmission to a Ford 9" differential. If you're interested in learning more, call 920-830-4994."

Fesler-Moss 2010 Camaro Limited Edition with ZR1 LS9 and a $150,000 Price Tag

For those that want to go the whole nine yards with the 2010 Camaro Fesler-Moss packages, muscle car builder Chris Fesler and former GM specialty vehicle director Jon Moss, have created the Limited Edition package. That is, if you're actually willing to spend more than what it would cost you to park a brand new Corvette ZR1 and a loaded 2010 Camaro SS in your garage, as the Limited Edition Camaro is priced at a hefty $150,000 or $110,000 if you provide the donor car.

That kind of money buys you an LS9 supercharged V8 engine (same as on the ZR-1) and an array of cosmetic and mechanical upgrades including but not limited to, an adjustable coil over suspension, 22-inch alloy wheels, Corvette-style door handles and a full carbon-fiber bodykit.

In addition to these upgrades, the Limited Edition Package 2-day training course at the Bondurant School of High Performance Driving.

Fesler-Moss said that it plans to limit production of this high-end version to 60 units per year.

Fesler-Moss 2010 Camaro Limited Edition Package Specs:

Adjustable coil over suspension, front and rear sway bars, 6-piston Fesler branded race brake upgrade, Fesler branded stainless steel bi-modal exhaust system, color-matched engine block, 6-speed manual transmission, billet, carbon fiber or black reverse lights, stainless steel hood struts, stainless steel trunk struts, carbon fiber interior accents, color matched leather seating, suede headliner, carbon fiber pillar gauge kit, heat and sound barrier, a custom sound system, Fesler-Moss badging. 22-inch Fesler-Moss wheels and tires, custom color paint scheme with painted racing stripes, Corvette-style door handles, Fesler billet grille with hideaway headlights, Billet RS taillights, carbon fiber Fesler-Moss body kit.

GM Confirms Production of New Camaro Convertible for Early 2011

As well as announcing the North American assembly of the 2011 Buick Regal sedan at the company's Oshawa plant in Canada, General Motors also confirmed today that production of the long-awaited (and delayed...) Camaro Convertible will begin at the same factory in the first quarter of 2011.

General Motors' original plan was to introduce the drop-top version of the new Camaro equipped with an electric folding canvas roof one year after the coupe went on sale, meaning that it should have arrived in showrooms in early 2010.

The company hasn't explained the reasons for the delay, but we assume that GM's bankruptcy filling and the initial lack of cash played a significant role in pushing the launch date back.

(Photos: Pre-Production Chevy Camaro Convertible)

Fesler-Moss Introduces Competition Package for 2010 Camaro

Jon Moss, the former director of GM's specialty vehicles division and Chris Fesler, owner of the muscle-car tuning firm Fesler Built, have joined forces to create a series of special packages for the new 2010 Chevy Camaro. The Competition package seen here is priced at $90,000 including the cost of a the new Camaro, or $50,000 if you already own the car and just want to receive the modifications.

There's all sorts of performance and cosmetic parts included in the package such as blacked out headlamps and tail lights, an adjustable coil over suspension, a carbon fiber bodykit, 22-inch alloy wheels, supercharger kit and 6-piston brake upgrades.

Furthermore, Fesler-Moss offer several options the most important being an LS7 or LS9 V8 engine swap.

Fesler-Moss Competition Package Specs:

30-way adjustable coil over suspension; billet, carbon fiber or black OE replacement taillights; billet, carbon fiber or black OE replacement taillights; billet, carbon fiber or black OE replacement taillights; billet, carbon fiber or black driving light bezels; billet, carbon fiber or black reverse light bezels; stainless steel hood struts; stainless steel trunk struts; carbon fiber grille; carbon fiber body kit; painted racing stripes; carbon fiber interior accents; carbon fiber gauge pod; heat and sound barrier; sound system upgrade; upgraded, deep cycle battery; supercharger ; high performance air cleaner; 6-piston Fesler branded brake upgrade; 22-inch Fesler branded wheels and tires; car cover plus and alarm/remote start system.

Competition Package Options

Carbon fiber cowl induction hood; carbon fiber trunk lid; carbon fiber spoiler; custom paint; custom leather seating; sueded headliner; short throw shifter; custom sound system; engine swap (LS7 or LS9); dynotune, exhaust system; extreme Fesler branded, 6-piston brake system upgrade; sway bars; Bondurant driving course.

2010 Chevy Camaro SS Pace Car Heads to Indianapolis 500

General Motors has unveiled the 2010 Camaro SS Pace Car that will take part at next year's Indianapolis 500. The new model's Orange Metallic paint scheme with White Diamond rally stripes that stretch the length of the car, as well as extending to the instrument panel, pays homage to the second Camaro to pace the Indianapolis 500 in 1969.

"We've enjoyed a great partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway throughout the years, and are proud to once again have the privilege of pacing the Indianapolis 500 in a Camaro," said Jim Campbell, General Manager, Chevrolet.

The new Camaro SS pace car packs a stock 6.2-liter V8 engine with 400-horsepower under its hood.

Aside from the RS appearance package and leather interior with Inferno Orange interior accents, the car also comes gets several unique features including 2010 Indianapolis 500 event logos painted on doors and embroidered on driver and passenger headrests, and an all-new front grille insert that Chevrolet says it plans to offer as a future Camaro accessory.

The amber lens tail lamps and a safety strobe light system with custom interior light bar in the rear window round off the upgrades.

Chevy to Offer 500 Examples of 2010 Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car Replica

For the fourth time in the history of the Camaro, GM will sell a replica of a Camaro Indianapolis 500 Pace Car. The last time Chevy offered a replica of the pace car was in 1993. Fittingly, Chevrolet plans to build a total of 500 units with up to 200 of those to be made available through 187 of the top-selling Camaro dealers based on 2009 retail sales.

"We set out to build a collectible vehicle that will appeal to the die-hard Camaro and Indianapolis 500 fan," said Jim Campbell, U.S. Vice President, Chevrolet Marketing. "We believe we've done just that with the 2010 Chevy Camaro Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Limited Edition."

The limited production replica is based on the Camaro 2SS model with the RS appearance package and a 400HP V8 paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, but adds some extra features unique to the actual pace car to be driven by Robin Roberts, anchor of "Good Morning America," during the this year's Indianapolis 500.

Available exclusively in 'Inferno Orange' with full body white pearl decal rally stripes, the replica comes with 20-inch polished aluminum wheels, an Inferno Orange heritage front grille and engine cover, special floor mats with accent colors and 2010 Indianapolis 500 event logos on the front fenders, the door panels and embroidered on driver and passenger headrests.

According to GM, the manufacturer suggested retail price of the Camaro pace car replica is $41,950 (includes $850 Destination Freight Charge).

Check out the gallery below for the list of dealers that will have allocation for the replica.