Lansing Craft Centre Timeline

[Cash]

LANSING CRAFT CENTRE
A TIME LINE STUDY

Early 1900s
At the turn of the century the site of what will eventually become the Lansing
Craft Centre is 660 acres of boggy wetland located in Lansing Township, Michigan.
It is known by some local residents as Bogus Swamp as counterfeiters use the site
to mint fake coins.

1919
The Ryan-Bohn Foundry is constructed on the site, opening in 1920.

1927
The Driggs Aircraft Company purchases the foundry site for use as an aircraft factory.
Only 21 Skylark bi-planes are built from 1929-1931.
Driggs Aircraft does not survive the onset of the Great Depression.



1930
Ransom E. Olds purchases the property but the site lies dormant until 1940.

1940
The Oldsmobile Division of General Motors Corp. purchases the property from R.E. Olds.
It becomes known as GM PLANT #2 located at 2801 W. Saginaw St, Lansing Michigan.
Over time some will refer to the GM Plant #2 as the Oldsmobile Plant #2.

1941
GM Plant #2 is re-tooled over an eight month period and through 1943 manufactures
75mm and 105mm artillery shells for the American war effort.




1944
GM Plant #2 during this era is often referred to as the GM Forge Plant.
GM constructs a large addition at the forge plant.

1945
GM Plant #2 returns to civilian production.

1965
GM builds Oldsmobile axles and differentials at the factory through 1984.

1971
A foundry is added and GM Plant #2 is referred to as the Oldsmobile Differential Plant and Foundry.
The factory continues to be used for forging operations as well through 1983.

1983
The factory operates as a weld fabrication plant through 1999.

THE REATTA CRAFT CENTRE

1984
In 1984 GM Design division grants approval to proceed with plans to build the Buick Reatta.
GM establishes the Reatta Craft Centre in the former Oldsmobile Differential Plant and Foundry.

1988
The factory adds stamping, a body shop and general assembly areas. The Buick Reatta is the first vehicle ever
produced at what eventually becomes the Lansing Craft Centre. The Reatta was introduced for 1988 as a coupe only.

Click

here

here

to view an old edition of "Motor Week" from 1989 that details how the Craft Centre was organized.




1990
A convertible model with a manually operated top is added to the Reatta line.
Combined convertible and coupe sales increase to 8515, but the Reatta still
falls short of corporate sales targets.

LANSING CRAFT CENTRE



1991
As the Buick Reatta nears its’ production end the Reatta Centre becomes known as
the Lansing Craft Centre (LCC).
The LCC becomes the planning centre for an electric car, the EV-1.

1994
GM enters into a joint venture agreement with ASC Inc, formerly the American Sunroof
Corporation. The joint venture partnership is named Genasys Ltd. Convertible tops are
assembled and installed in the Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunfire at LCC.
The Cavalier and Sunfire are built at the GM plant in Lordstown, Ohio and shipped
to LCC for final assembly. Some refer to the LCC as the Genasys Assembly Plant.




1996
The electric EV-1 is built at Lansing Craft Centre through 1999.




1999
Convertible productions of the Cavalier and Sunfire cease in 1999.

2000
In 2000, production of the Cadillac Eldorado is transferred from the Detroit-Hamtramck
(“Poletown”) plant, located near GM Headquarters, to the Lansing Craft Centre and
continues through April 2002.



August 2000, GM commits to build the SSR.
Click here to view the press release.

2001
January - Rick Wagoner, President and CEO of GM announces plans to build the SSR at
the Lansing Craft Centre. Click here to view the press release.

2002
GM readies the Lansing Craft Centre for the Chevrolet SSR production.
Plant renovation cost estimates are near $70 million.

2003
GM prepares to begin construction of the SSR. Five Signature Series SSR’s are built at
the ASC Inc. facility in Oak Park MI, located near the GM Tech Centre.
Subsequent works performed on the SSR by ASC Inc. are completed at the ASC plant in
Lansing which is considerably closer to LCC. Modifications and upgrades are done at LCC.
The balance of the Signature Series are built at LCC during March through May 12, 2003.
The Regular Production SSR’s commence June 12, 2003 with the building of 69 WD1 Pilot
vehicles. In a shortened production year 3416 SSRs are produced in MY2003, including 32
EX Vins and the Signature Series.
The first saleable SSR leaves the assembly line July 29, 2003.



2005
November 21, 2005. Rick Wagoner, President and CEO of GM, announces as part of a
wide-sweeping production capacity initiative, a total of nine assembly, stamping and
powertrain facilities and three Parts and Service Operations facilities will cease operations
by year end 2008. The Lansing Craft Centre is identified as one of these facilities.
Click here to view the press release.

SSR production continues until the year end Christmas Holiday break.
On December 23, 2005 VIN 1GCES14H66B1"23286", the final Regular Production SSR, is completed.

2006
SSR production resumes February 15, 2006 after being idled for the month of January.
LCC employees begin construction of what is designated "The Final Production Run".
The first FPR is Redline Red, VIN 1GCES14H86B1"23287".

March 17, 2006 "The Last SSR", Smokin Ashphalt over Ricochet Silver, VIN 1GCES14H06B1"24112"
leaves the assembly line and the Lansing Craft Centre ends automotive production.



2008
February GM announces plans to commence demolition of the Lansing Craft Centre over
the next twenty months.

2009
March 8, 2009. SSRFanatics receive confirmation that the Lansing Craft Centre has in fact
been razed to the ground.


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