General Motors is prepping its Spring Hill, Tennessee plant in order to accommodate the production of a new Cadillac and GMC mid-size crossover vehicle, The Tennesean reports. GM announced it would invest $167 million in Spring Hill last August to build two new mid-size new vehicles there, but wouldn’t specify on what the new vehicles would be at the time.
The information comes from suppliers GM has contracted to make components for the new vehicles, who have confirmed the new models will be midsize crossovers from GMC and Cadillac. Gov. Bill Haslam and Tennessee’s Department of Economic and Community Development said this week supplier ABC Group would be expanding its plant to make “console, interior trim and load floors for the new GMC and Cadillac vehicles produced at the General Motors plant in Spring Hill.”
UAW officials with Spring Hill told The Tennessean the ABC Group announcement came as a surprise for some of the workers, as they hadn’t yet heard what GM planned to add to the plant. Spring Hill currently produces the Chevrolet Equinox midsize crossover and has a line producing Ecotec four-cylinder engines.
GM declined to confirm the production line added to Spring Hill will be for a GMC and Cadillac vehicle with a shared platform.
“For competitive reasons, we haven’t announced any models yet, but we have said there will be two new midsize models for Spring Hill,” said GM manufacturing communications manager Bill Grotz.
The new GMC model comes as the real surprise for most, and GMC spokesperson Kellly Wysocki didn’t deny its existence when asked.
“We’re not ready to make an announcement on the model yet,” said Kelly Wysocki, GMC spokeswoman for SUVs and crossovers. “It’s still kind of early yet.”
As for the Cadillac, some have speculated it will be the next-generation SRX, a notion Cadillac rep David Caldwell also was hesitant to comment on.
“The (current) SRX is having a record year this year, so there is still some time left in this generation,” Caldwell said. “We’re not at a point yet where we can discuss its future.”
Comments
Hmmm?
If this is happening could this mean the SRX and Terrain both share a enlarged D2XX platform much as the SRX now has a larger Theta? Then this would leave Chevy and Buick to use a smaller version like they do now vs. the SRX that is modified.
This would make sense as GMC and Buick both in the same dealers need to have something that really sets them apart.
This would bear watching from all of us.
Watching GM is like watching a magician and you have to keep an eye on the other hand as it is doing things that give away hints at what is really going on.
Which ever Cadillac model it is, it better be RWD
Its not…the XT5 is front or AWD
So that’s sounds like the next terrain and srx
It could be both. Right now the Cadillac is the only one they are talking about. I am speculating on the Terrain to make sense of the Buick and Terrain in the same dealer and the SRX sharing a line with another model.
As for the rest of you RWD fans expect the SRX to stay AWD and FWD as it is selling well in a very powerful segment that is just too profitable to abandon.
Now keep in mind Cadillac has at least 2-3 more SUV and CUV models to come.
While they say Cadillac has abandon a larger SUV I suspect it was one based on the while GM never disclosed the Lambda platform. This would make sense to drop if they have an Omega that could be AWD and RWD.
This one is iffy but could happen yet.
I do expect a Alpha based SUV at some point with RWD and AWD.
I would not be surprised if there is a small Encore size CUV FWD and AWD for Cadillac at some point too.
The key will be the AWD vs. RWD on the SUV ands CUV as the RWD ones just don’t sell well. The last SRX RWD was nice but it stunk up the world in sales.
RWD is mostly for the car segment and a must there at this price range along with a AWD option. I really think they will need a AWD CTSV at some point as all the power in the world is useless unless you can put it down. I could care less about snow but if you have a sedan pushing 700 HP you need to be able to use the power. I suspect the 700 HP Hellcat while impressive will not be able to use most of the power as it can not put it down and if the computer kicks in to help it will slow the car buy removing the power with engine management.
I hope the caddy doesn’t get a FWD platform
Midsize crossovers are the future of big sales, GM should focus on each brand yours has one, over all Cadillac, but must have a very different image and personality of the other GM cars
Regards From Spain
It’s SRX and Acadia on C1UX.
Isn’t spring hill already in contract to build some current generation equinox’s and the next generation equinox? So, if that’s the case the GMC will most likely be the Terrain, since the current generation GMC and Chevrolet are on the same platform. The Cadillac SRX will probably be built there now also, if this rumor is true. Or maybe GMC and Cadillac are releasing all new models, which is probably the least likely. I’m going with spring hill, building next generation Equinox, Terrain, and SRX, just like the Traverse, Acadia, and Enclave are built together. Whatever the case is, this is pretty interesting.
We also must consider that the GM lines today can build more than one model on one line.
We will see that soon as the next Camaro and SS sedan will be built on the same line.
Aren’t there still talk’s about the Traverse, Acadia, and Enclave taking the current generation Mid-Size Theta’s spot on the E2XX Platform (since they are moving to the Compact D2XX Platform) and replacing the Lambda Platform with an Enlarged E2XX version? The Chevrolet Equinox is currently being built at Spring Hill and CAMI (don’t quote me on that). I’d assume that they must be talking about Next-Generation Platform Mates such as the Terrain and SRX. Meanwhile, if CAMI isn’t building Theta’s or D2XX’s, it would be the perfect assembly line for the Spark, Trax, and Encore.
That make sense but the future of these vehicles has been kind of even more clouded than the Nox and Terrain. Even less info has been leaked out on them than the Theta makes that are moving down.
I think there is a lot things changing here as all the MFG have really been against the wall on the larger models. The Explorer has not set the world on fires sales wise and a GM official speculated out loud that the full size SUV could die sometime after 2018 in the half ton range. Now that may never happen but it has been considered.
The fact the smaller CUV models are the fastest growing segment also has many re evaluating their plans. GM has made a shock wave with the Encore and Trax as well as the Terrain and Nox. these vehicles are very profitable and are moving people from the much more expensive and low mileage full size models.
Also the CUVs are picking up sales from the sedan market too. The greatest threat right now to the mid size segment is the CUV market. I would say one of the greatest factors not credited for the drop in Malibu sales also can be in part contributed to the Nox increase in sales. We went from a GTP to a Terrain and I know we are not alone.
The Screw ball BIll Ford said the auto market will not look the same in 10 years and for once I agree with him. The regulation and the shift in products will make for a massive change. I would say by that point look for a small CUV to be the top seller in the market.
Hell my Terrain will do all my Malibu will do and then some. The trunk in my 08 Bu is large but I can’t get a damn thing through the opening that is of any great size. The Terrain you just drop the 70″ TV between the wheel wells and drive off.
Utility of these new vehicles will come into play as people need things to haul stuff in. In years past my dad just put the ply wood on the roof of the Chevelle and tie it down. No damage or drama. Today the roof would be damaged and the wood would never stay on. It has come to the point if you live a normal family life you had better have a CUV, Truck or know some one with one or you will have to have everything delivered.
The next 10 years will shock many of you and just wait till the people who do not pay attention to the auto market gets a look at what is to come.