GM Already Adding Third Shift At Mid-Size Truck Plant

by Derek Kreindler

September 17th, 2014 12:04 PM

gm already adding third shift at mid size truck plant

GM’s new mid-size pickup trucks aren’t even on sale yet, but the auto maker is already preparing to add a third shift at its Wentzville, Missouri assembly plant, which will result in 750 additional jobs.

The third shift will come online in early 2015. GM claims to have received as many as 30,000 dealer orders for the mid-sizers so far – whether they end up in customer hands without major incentives or discounts is a whole other matter.

#Chevrolet #ChevroletColorado #GMC #GmcCanyon #Mid-sizeTrucks #PickupTruck #PickupTrucks

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6 of 33 comments

87 Morgan on Sep 17, 2014

Say what you will...but when the diesel 6MT is available, I'm in. Based on the long term review real world MPG of 'Albert' I am in. I just don't want another full size truck. Even if this one is 7/8s size I will take it. I am going with the assumption the 6MT diesel will return similar or better mileage.

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- Carlson Fan on Sep 17, 2014
  
  For me the diesel only makes sense if your towing and manuals suck compared to a nice automatic for that. I make that observation after towing with a manual transmission Toyota truck for 11 years.
  
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Mikehgl on Sep 17, 2014

If GM ever releases the mpg figures for the 4 banger,I will be able to decide which power plant I will check the box for. I have a hunch that this platform is gonna sell better than some expect. It seems that the General got the timing right on this models entry into the U.S. market, either by dumb luck, good fortune or precise market trend forecasting. Whatever, sign me up.

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JEFFSHADOW on Sep 17, 2014

Interesting that they offer the extended cab on the 7/8 scaler but not on the original full-size trucks after MY 2013. So the press information that stated the NHTSA didn't like the "safety" measures on the cab-and-a-halfer was erroneous. If the new GMC Colorado is large enough with the extended cab, I'm in for an order. Along with the Buick Cascada!

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- Vulpine on Sep 18, 2014
  
  "Interesting that they offer the extended cab on the 7/8 scaler but not on the original full-size trucks after MY 2013." If I remember correctly, they DO offer an extended cab on the full-sized truck, it just LOOKS like a crew cab because they had to add a vertical brace in the middle of the opening to pass the 'roof crush' safety test and that was the easiest way to do it and called it a "double cab". The slightly smaller Colorado kept the suicide doors.
  
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Sketch447 on Sep 18, 2014

So GM is adding a 3d shift to a factory that makes a mid-size truck that people may or may not want, whose predecessor sold fewer units than lime-green Aztecs. This mid-sized truck gets virtually the same mpg as a full-size truck, with a minimal price advantage and far less utility. If GM still had the Jobs Bank (where idled workers got sent to do crossword puzzles while still getting paid), those 750 workers would have something to do. As it is, they'll be playing Nerf football on the idled factory floor..... What is GM smoking? I want some!!

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