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GM Defense Awarded $36M To Develop HD Suburban Government Fleet

GM Defense just announced a new $36.4 million contract awarded by the U.S. Department of State to develop and validate a next-generation heavy-duty SUV. The GM Defense HD Suburban is intended for future production in support of the Department’s Diplomatic Security Service.

As part of the new contract, GM Defense will build 10 purpose-built HD Suburban units over the next two years. The vehicles will leverage a variety of commercial-off-the-shelf components, including the exterior, body, propulsion system, interior, and brakes. The new models will also feature a “new and unique body-on-frame chassis and suspension, designed to specifically support increased government vehicle performance requirements with a higher payload capacity and greater ground vehicle weight,” according to General Motors.

To create the new HD Suburban, GM Defense will leverage advanced manufacturing tools and techniques in support of low-volume production of the new chassis and frame. This includes fixtureless assembly and flexible fabrication, intended to lower overall costs and offer greater flexibility for customer needs.

The new GM Defense HD Suburban units will be delivered in two phases, with initial deliveries expected next spring. GM Defense expects a production contract for 200 HD Suburban units annually for the next nine years following completion of the development contract in May of 2023.

“We’re excited to be developing a fully-integrated, purpose-built HD Suburban in partnership with the U.S. Department of State,” said GM Defense president, Steve duMont. “The Chevrolet Suburban has been an iconic name in commercial transportation since 1935. Our development contract win speaks to our long-standing legacy of exceeding transportation capabilities and our new HD Suburban will deliver government-specific advanced mobility solutions to meet the needs of DSS.”

Back in July, GM Authority rendered a realistic Chevy Suburban HD model based on the latest twelfth-generation SUV, adding things like more heavy-duty wheels, a single exhaust, and other upgrades in anticipation of the model’s higher payload ratings and armor up-fit.

Previously, in October of 2020, GM Authority covered comments made by GM’s vice president of Global Product Programs, Tim Herrick, who hinted that a new Chevy Suburban HD model was indeed on GM’s radar. The last Chevy Suburban HD model was produced in 2018.

It’s worth noting that the actual product will officially be called GM Defense HD Suburban, and is not a Chevrolet per se.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. What?! Not an EV?!

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    1. EV’s are for the peasantry. Now back to the fields and put on your mask.

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      1. Exactly, this is for fat cats to get 8mpg with their way to their taxpayer funded jet while they lecture you about global warming….

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  2. More wasteful spending by our out of control government!

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    1. So they should ride bicycles?

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      1. Anyone who runs there mouth constantly about global warming yes they should ride a bicycle. It’s hypocritical to talk about global warming but drive something like this and only fly private on there jet lol.

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        1. You hear that John Kerry!

          Reply
  3. Hd non luxury no 3rd row that is what is off road overlander car camping touring want

    Reply
  4. The pigs must think they look cool in there big suv

    Reply
  5. Somewhere adults have to be involved and letting those in power know, internal combustion isn’t something you can just “replace” like across the board all applications, everywhere for everything.

    Reply
  6. The Vehicles will be used in a KGB style crack down when the marxist federal government begins rounding up citizens and putting them in the Covid camps

    Reply
  7. $36 million for 200 copies is $180,000 each. Not too shabby for a custom built. Does this cost include armor and bulletproof glass?

    Reply

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