General Motors has once again implemented mandatory Sunday overtime at its Flint Assembly plant in Michigan as it looks to keep up with demand for the Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD.
The automaker previously implemented mandatory overtime at Flint Assembly in December in an effort to replenish its Silverado and Sierra inventories following the UAW strike, but sustained high demand has made it difficult to re-establish a stockpile of the trucks.
Flint Assembly production line in Michigan
“As we mentioned prior to entering into emergency status at the end of last year, we are facing an extraordinary challenge – customer demand for our HD truck continues to increase but dealer stocks have not stabilized,” GM said in a memo sent to Flint Assembly workers last week. “Due to the continued competitive pressure in the heavy-duty market from Ford and FCA, we are announcing additional, mandatory shifts for the coming week.”
“In an effort to better balance the needs of the business and the needs of team members, we are scheduling the needs of the business, we are scheduling mandatory shifts each Sunday for the next several weeks,” the memo also said.
GM spokesman Dan Flores said previously that having low supply can hurt sales in the segment, as buyers who can’t find a truck with their desired equipment may be inclined to shop elsewhere instead of waiting. Some are also unable to wait for a new vehicle and will be forced to head to the Ford or Ram dealer if they can’t find a GM truck to suit their needs on a nearby lot.
“This is a very competitive segment and we certainly don’t want customers going to another brand just because we are short on inventory,” Flores said in December. “It’s in our best interest as a GM team to meet the demand while it’s there.”
GM ended many of its passenger car programs to invest more into its full-size truck and SUV lineups following its 2018 corporate restructuring. That means the company is relying more on its pickup programs to generate profits, so it will be eager to ensure it has plenty of Silverado HD and Sierra HD models on hand, as the trucks are two of its biggest cash cows.
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Source: The Detroit Bureau
Comments
I suppose needing to implement mandatory overtime is a good problem to have.
.. but, on the other hand, who wants a truck that
was built by people forced to build it (on a Sunday) ?
More money for the household!
Exodus 20 verses 8 -11
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
King James Version (KJV)
I am still shocked by this story I know personally I have only seen about 4 new Silverado hd an about maybe 15 or more GMC but I tell you one thing I see a lot of is ram
Most of the rams I see are half-ton classic models
If you live in the state of GA, the GM HD trucks are starting to become a normal site when being on the road whether it’s a personal or fleet version, I suspect throughout the summer, a lot more will be out there. I can recall as far back as1993 when the redesigned Camaro and Firebird started off this slow.
Guess they aren’t so ugly as the internet loves to claim.
These are really stunning once you finally see them on the road. So much presence.
I don’t think their exteriors are ugly. This is totally subjective however.
HDs generally are bought by people who use them for work, not as fashion statements.
Does general motors make handy-cap vehicles.
They will help pay to retrofit any of their models with assist features.
They paid to put hand controls on my fathers vehicle
The HD Chevy and GMC pickups made a big splash. A lot of Ford guys were hoping that people didn’t like the styling, but it’s actually proven to be a very sought after product.
Wouldn’t have been a problem if they kept the Oshawa Assembly Truck Plant open. $500 million invested to totally re-configure the plant for HD ( K-2 ) production . Highest rated, most awards , dedicated and highly experienced work force, BIQ certified, Able to handle any job platforms Detroit requested. But GM still closed it ….!!! Fuc%ing looks good on them !
Mike…You sound like a typical Union sheeeple.
Fort Wayne we’re happy with Oshawa Assembly truck line build quality no doubt about it ,it seems short sited in retrospect ,if we need more trucks !
They might have if their union was more cooperative and competitive.
C8.R- What do you really know about what was given up by the union during the last two contracts or how competitive they were or what economic proposals were put to management to improve their chances ! All the Union continually asked over both contracts was for a new Commitment for an allocated product to build ,that never came ,I can tell you our quality, costs ,and competitivness was second to no other plant in North America ,whether you think so or not ,we feel like Lordstown only worst because they will either build batteries or electric trucks hopefully !
GM closed plants and now forces manditory overtime to keep up with production. So I’ll do my part to help elevate GMs management problems by buying a new Ford.
Guess it should shut another plant and make the all work overtime. The stupidity of GM is about to kick them in the butt. Canadians are not looking at GM to replace their trucks Toyota is becomming the choice of retired GM workers because the plants closed in our Canadian Industry. China is looking at GM’s closure records around the world.