GM delays Camaro production start by a month

General Motors is delaying the launch of the Chevrolet Camaro sports car by a month, without explaining why.

GM had scheduled the start of production of the redesigned 2010 model in Oshawa, Ontario, for Feb. 16. The date has been pushed back to March 16, Chevrolet spokesman Terry Rhadigan said on Friday.

"It's due to a variety of factors that I'm not going to get into, but it's nothing to be concerned about," Rhadigan said. "We're still going to build every one we can, and we're excited to get them out."

The Camaro should arrive in dealerships in time for the "spring/summer" selling season, Rhadigan said. "We won't lose any volume, and we'll still hit our targets."

GM has received 10,000 advance orders for the car, which offers 300 horsepower on the base model with a V6 engine.

"It'll take a few months for us to build all 10,000 of those sold orders," Rhadigan said.

GM is suing Cadence Innovation, a supplier of interior parts that is liquidating, to get machines and parts needed to make the Camaro. GM provided equipment to the supplier to make the Camaro parts, a standard industry practice.

GM has said if it didn't get the production equipment back by Jan. 12, the start of Camaro production would be delayed. Rhadigan said the postponement isn't connected to the Cadence dispute.

By Jamie LaReau- Automotive News