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GM invests $1B more in ICE heavy-duty truck production

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Following with its plans “to continue providing customers a strong portfolio of ICE vehicles for years to come” General Motors announced Monday it will invest more than $1 billion in two U.S. manufacturing sites to make its next-gen heavy-duty internal combustion engine (ICE) trucks.

Flint Assembly and Flint Metal Center will be prepped “to strengthen its industry-leading full-size truck business.” Product details and timing related to GM’s future HD trucks haven’t been released.

GM’s U.S. manufacturing and parts distribution facility investment commitments since 2013, including the Flint investment, add up to more than $30.5 billion.

GM says it’s going to spend $788 million to prep the Flint Assembly body shop building and general assembly conveyor expansions as well as new tooling and equipment. Flint Metal Center will get $233 million in upgrades including new stamping dies, press refurbishments, and new equipment.

“These investments reflect our commitment to our loyal truck customers and the efforts of the dedicated employees of Flint Assembly and Flint Metal Center,” said Gerald Johnson, GM global manufacturing and sustainability executive vice president.

GM operates more than 50 assembly, stamping, propulsion, and component plants and parts distribution centers nationwide.

During a Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit session at the 2021 SEMA Show, GM Global Aftersales Mechanical Engineering Director (now Executive Director Global Aftersales Engineering and Service Operations) Jennifer Goforth said the company had plans to launch 30 new electric vehicles (EVs) by 2025 but internal combustion engines would continue to be an essential part of the fleet for at least 20-30 years.

Video of the summit session as well as the full playlist from that year and 2022 Repairer Driven Education (RDE) videos are available for purchase at rde.scrs.com.

In 2022, GM says it saw a 38% year-over-year increase in HD pickup sales with nearly 288,000 trucks sold. The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado HD was the best-selling retail full-size HD pickup, based on S&P Global Mobility 2022 CYE U.S. new vehicle registrations using GM custom retail registration type in the GM 3.4-ton and 1-ton large pickup segments.

“When business is booming as it has been for the past decade — due to the hard work of UAW members — the company should continue to invest in its workforce,” said Mike Booth, UAW vice president, GM department. “It is good to see that GM recognizes the hard work you, the UAW membership, contribute to the success of this company. We are proud that UAW-GM members will continue to build quality, union-made products here in the USA.”

GM has also invested $579 million in Flint Engine Operations for sixth-generation small block V8 engine production and $103.5 million in Davison Road Processing Center for technology upgrades to improve workplace safety and ergonomics, according to a report to investors.

Images

Featured image: A Chevrolet Silverado HD is assembled at Flint Assembly in Flint, Michigan. (Credit: GM)

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