Overview

General Motors is set to invest more than $1 billion to upgrade two plants in Flint, Michigan, in preparation for the next generation of its heavy-duty pickups. The upgrades will be made to the Flint Assembly plant and the Flint Metal Center, which produces sheet metal stampings.

Upgrades to Flint Assembly Plant

The Flint Assembly plant will receive $788 million, which will be used to build the redesigned Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD. The investment will go towards expanding the body shop and general assembly conveyor, as well as new tooling.

Upgrades to Flint Metal Center

The Flint Metal Center will receive $233 million towards new stamping dies, press improvements and equipment.

Commitment to Customers and Employees

The investment reflects General Motors’ commitment to its loyal truck customers and the efforts of the dedicated employees of Flint Assembly and Flint Metal Center. GM has committed to investing more than $30.5 billion in its manufacturing and parts distribution sites since 2013.

Future Plans

GM did not disclose details about the next-generation trucks or say when they would go on sale.

UAW Response

The United Auto Workers (UAW) has responded positively to the announcement. “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 UAW Vice President Mike Booth, who leads the union’s GM department. “It is good to see that GM recognizes the hard work you, the UAW membership, contribute to the success of this company.”

Sales Figures

GM sold 287,869 heavy-duty pickups in the U.S. last year, a 37 percent increase from 2021.

Contract Negotiations

The announcement of the planned investment comes as contract negotiations between the UAW and the Detroit 3 are expected to formally begin this summer.