GM invests heavily in ICE applications for heavy-duty pickup trucks
In the General Motors press release, it says “Product details and timing related to GM’s future HD trucks are not being released at this time.” But they sort of are: The rest of the release details the fact that GM has announced plans to “invest more than $1 billion in two of its Flint, Michigan, manufacturing sites, Flint Assembly and Flint Metal Center, to prepare those plants for production of the next-generation internal combustion engine (ICE) heavy-duty trucks.”
So, ICE—not electric. “This investment will enable the company to strengthen its industry-leading full-size truck business.” GM evidently feels that before the heavy-duty trucking market is ready to go electric, like Tesla believes it is, there’s at least one more complete generation of HD pickup trucks that will be gasoline- and diesel-powered.
“Today we are announcing significant investments in Flint to strengthen our industry-leading full-size pickup business by preparing two plants to build the next-generation ICE HD trucks,” said Gerald Johnson, executive vice president, Global Manufacturing and Sustainability. “These investments reflect our commitment to our loyal truck customers and the efforts of the dedicated employees of Flint Assembly and Flint Metal Center.”
This investment “highlights the company’s commitment to continue providing customers a strong portfolio of ICE vehicles for years to come,” the release said. In 2022, GM achieved a 38 percent year-over-year increase in HD pickup sales, with nearly 288,000 trucks sold. Additionally, the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado HD was the best-selling retail full-size HD pickup.
Details of the announcements said GM will invest $788 million to prepare the plant to assemble GM’s next-generation ICE HD trucks. Plant updates will include a body shop building expansion, general assembly conveyor expansion, and new tooling and equipment. At the Flint Metal Center, GM will invest $233 million for new stamping dies to support production of GM’s next-generation ICE HD trucks, as well as press refurbishments and new equipment.
“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 also announced more than $1.7 billion in investments for Flint-area operations in 2023, including $579 million in Flint Engine Operations for sixth-generation small-block V-8 engine production.
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Did I read the GM truck story correctly,? That Chevrolet outsold all other trucks. Does that mean HD as 3/4 ton snd above? I am astonished that Ford was outsold.
GMC and Chevy trucks together have consistently outsold Ford for decades and decades. With ford outselling the GM pair only a couple of times. However in the last 20 years, since HD pickups have been a different platform than 1/2 ton trucks, Ford has typically outsold GM in the HD arena. Some
A fact that F series marketers don’t like to talk about. F series outsells Chevrolet, but rarely outsells GM.
The heavy trucks are not subjected to EV reg as are the half tons. They will be around a while yet.
I drive the last of the steel bodied F350. When it lost its own platform when they went aluminum I believe the Super Duties lost some of their cache–all the Fords now look kind of alike. The old Supers are very distinctive–love my King Ranch. The newer GM heavies are more distinctive (I didn’t say good looking) from their oddly styled half ton bretheren. They don’t have the weird swoop on the front fenders. Have been seeing a lot of them in MN/WI. Design sells.