- General Motors said it will expand its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant, where the next-generation Chevrolet Impala will join the Volt and the redesigned Malibu in production in calendar year 2013.
- Industry sources say the next-generation Impala is expected to be built on a stretched version of GM's midsize Epsilon architecture that underpins the 2013 Malibu.
- The 2014 Impala may share some underbody components with the upcoming Cadillac XTS.
DETROIT — General Motors said it will expand its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant, where the next-generation Chevrolet Impala will join the Volt and the redesigned Malibu in production in calendar year 2013.
A week ago, GM announced that it would idle the Detroit-Hamtramck plant for a month, beginning in June, as it phases out production of the Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS, boosts capacity for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera and prepares to add production early next year of the redesigned 2013 Chevrolet Malibu.
In response to a query from Inside Line regarding the launch timing of the new Impala, a GM spokeswoman said, "We are not confirming model year at this time."
But industry sources say the next-generation Impala is slated to go into production in calendar year 2013 as a 2014 model. It is expected to be built on a stretched version of GM's midsize Epsilon architecture that underpins the 2013 Malibu, and could share some underbody components with the upcoming Cadillac XTS.
The Detroit-Hamtramck plant news is the latest installment in GM's ongoing plan to invest $2 billion in 17 plants in eight states. GM said it would invest $69 million in tools and equipment "to support the next-generation Impala," in addition to the previously announced $121 million for production of the new Malibu.
Inside Line says: In recent weeks, GM also has announced investments at plants in Bowling Green (2014 Corvette), Toledo (eight-speed transmission) and Flint (Ecotec engine).
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tbone85 says:
06:27 PM, 05/29/2011
Nice theory. In practice manufacturers have found it less expensive to implement front wheel drive. The vast majority of affordable vehicles are FWD. There are no subcompact, compact, or mid size RWD sedans for sale in this country. If RWD was actually less expensive, then we'd have at least some in the mass market class vehicles.
cure07x says:
09:27 PM, 05/26/2011
Actually it is cheaper tbone. It is a simpler design than a complex front wheel drive system and if sold in more volume would be cheaper.
tbone85 says:
11:25 AM, 05/26/2011
"RWD is cheaper and is a lot more fun. "
A lot more fun? Usually.
Cheaper? Usually not.
wikiwiki says:
09:56 AM, 05/26/2011
Can't be worse than the Impala I rented a few days ago. What a POS!!! Rental fleets will rejoice!!
mozzz77788 says:
09:05 AM, 05/26/2011
altimadude05
The Cadillac XTS is not based on the Impala. The Impala will share parts with the XTS. They won't even be on the same platform. The XTS is on a good track and should be a pretty competitive luxury sedan
mozzz77788 says:
09:03 AM, 05/26/2011
altimadude05
The Cadillac XTS is not based on the Impala. The Impala will share parts with the XTS. They won't even be on the same platform. The XTS is on a good track and should be a pretty competitive luxury sedan
1487 says:
07:49 AM, 05/26/2011
impala will be chevy version of Lacrosse.
cure07x says:
07:02 AM, 05/26/2011
Whoever said the impala should stay FWD is retarded. The impala was historically a RWD car and really needs to stay that way. RWD is cheaper and is a lot more fun. Through the years, the impala name has been dragged through the mud and is a mere shadow of what it used to be b/c of people thinking of stupid ideas such a FWD. Case in point, the FWD impala SS? WTF? Additionally, you shouldnt be taking a 2WD car in a place that snows half the year anyway? Talk about a waste of money. But in all seriousness, the impala will remain FWD, which is a disgrace to its heritage. People need to learn how to be connected to the road and keep it simple. All these driver aids are stupid and honestly make people worse drivers when they switch over to another car bc they are so handicapped. Il take my 2002 z28 all day long over anything that is washed out like this new impala.
dgmail says:
03:30 AM, 05/26/2011
I'll take a Dodge Charger.
Even when I see one as a police car, I'm imtimidated by it so much I slow down.
jscion says:
06:06 PM, 05/25/2011
I hope the Impala is on a FWD platform. Don't get me wrong, the Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, and Ford Taurus are great cars but try dealing with a RWD car in an area where it snows half the year. The Impala should stay a good car at a good price as it is today.
AWD variations of these cars get to be over $30K which starts getting into premium sedan territory and would make me want to go for an MB or Beemer, not a GM, Chrysler, or Ford!!!
GM's building great cars that are selling well. I think it would be a great idea to just bring a redesigned Holden Caprice here and call it a Chevrolet Caprice, slot it above the Impala as it's a more expensive car anyway so everyone will be happy that they have a variation of the Pontiac G8, JEEZ!!!