General Motors has big plans for its full- and midsize pickups on the horizon. Automotive News reports GM dealers were told more Chevrolet Colorados and Silverados would be coming this year to help with supply constraints still faced by some dealers nationwide.
Chevrolet U.S. Vice President Brian Sweeney confirmed both Chevrolet pickups would see increased numbers, but did not provide details as to how the automaker will boost production. Previously, it was reported GM will outsource full-size van production to make room for more pickup trucks, but it has not been confirmed at this time.
Currently, the plants in Michigan and Missouri, which assemble the Silverado and Colorado, are running at full capacity to churn out the pickup trucks, meaning it will be difficult to squeeze anything additional out of the plants. Not a bad problem to have, but we’re sure the capacity fix will be flexible in case fuel prices decide to balloon once again.
Comments
What about the Ft Wayne (INDIANA) Truck plant?
They’re running at full capacity as well, along with Mexico plant.
Did they close down Janesville?
Yes, It’s officially closed and GM is looking for a buyer. Now, I wonder if GM is regretting the move to close the plant. The facility was set up for body on frame vehicles. They sure would use it now although Janesville plant was in dire need for remodel and update. It’s very old and falling apart from what I’ve read, leaking roofs and so.
No they are not as the plant was so old.
They have so many places to build things now many are newer. GM really has too much capacity and has been using it to shop jobs to the UAW and the ones willing to work with them get the work.
I suspect Janesville would have been closed even with no bail out.
Oshawa used to be one their premier sites and was the lead plant for some of the launches and was high quality. They used to make over 300,000 pickups a year in Oshawa.
How about the GM plant in Oshawa,Canada?
That may be up to the CAW and if they are willing to compete with the UAW locals on contracts.
It’s longer the CAW — the new name is UNIFOR.
Their contract is up this year and GM of Canada has announced no new products for Oshawa until the contract is settled — and reading between the lines — settled on favorable terms to GM. Right now with exchange at about $0.77, they are competitive — C$ 35 vs US$ 27 for Tier 1 — but the union needs to ensure that they can be competitive at a $0.90 dollar too. Given GM Canada’s message, you would have thought that there would have been some urgency to settle on the part of the union to get product but it seems to be business as normal.
What is full capacity? Is it two shifts of 40 hours a week. Or is full capacity 168 hours a week.?
I can understand the need for more Coloradoes but I’m perplexed on Silverados. With the lucrative rebates, why not just cut back on incentives?
Rebates and incentives are the automakers way of buying market share.
Maybe all these trucks can be produced without all the
mechanical campaigns (recalls), so many on the ever
famous COLORADO !
Thanks,