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Autos Insider | GM starts Sonic production at Orion plant | The Detroit News
1 Aug 2011 — The Detroit News
GM starts Sonic production at Orion plant
David Shepardson/ Detroit News Washington Bureau
Traverse City — General Motors Co. said Monday it had begun U.S. production of its subcompact Chevrolet Sonic at its Orion Assembly Plant.
Ken Knight, executive director for global and North America Manufacturing Engineering for GM, said Monday at the Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars here that production began Monday morning around 6 a.m.
"We started our regular production today — two-and-a-half hours ago," Knight said. "Since my phone hasn't rung off the hook, I think we are doing well." The Sonic was developed in South Korea and is already on sale in nearly 30 countries around the world. GM has invested more than $500 million in Orion over the last 18 months to build the Sonic and the Buick Verano.
The plant has 1,750 workers, including 1,600 hourly employees. Knight declined to answer any questions about the production plans - including how many vehicles they are initially assembling - or how many Sonic subcompacts it might assemble this year. "It does change weekly," Knight said of production.
He said GM looked at the costs before agreeing to build the Sonic. "We did a total cost model," Knight said. "There's a lot of content that's North America based, not just Korea based."
The all-new 2012 Sonic will start at $14,495 for the sedan and $15,395 for the five-door hatchback when it arrives this fall. The Sonic pricing is slightly higher than the Ford Fiesta base model, which costs about $500 less. But it's still lower than the $15,870 Honda Fit.
The Sonic will be built in Orion Township in northern Oakland County, making it the only subcompact car to be made in the United States. It replaces the South Korean-built Chevrolet Aveo, which GM is retiring from the U.S. market.
The Sonic LS base model comes with a standard 1.8-liter engine and five-speed transmission. Air conditioning, power door locks, remote keyless entry and 15-inch alloy wheels also are standard on the base model, the Detroit automaker said.
GM has yet to announce the fuel economy for the base model, but with a 1.4-liter turbo engine upgrade, the Sonic is expected to deliver 40 miles per gallon in highway driving.
Chevrolet is charging $700 extra for the turbo upgrade, which will only be available on two higher trim levels: the LT and sportier LTZ. The LT trim starts at $15,695 for the sedan and $16,495 for the hatchback.
