Spring Hill Slated For New Product

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Originally Posted by SierraGS

This is an odd mixture of vehicles unless the GMT-700 is based on a RWD version of the Lambda, and the Lambda SUT just seems to be too much of a compromise, requiring AWD at about a $2,000 premium and at least 1 MPG penalty per most EPA ratings on vehicles offering both. Even Honda could not gain much market with the Ridgeline.

Maybe GM is betting on the new CAFE to change that.

A Zeta based crew cab based on the existing UTE should not be that hard to do and the previous generation UTE did offer a Clubman and AWD Cross 8 crew cab versions. Trucks that carry any payload must be RWD when in a 2WD mode so it is better for the vehicle to be designed that way from the start. Besides if they make a Denali XT crewcab they can offer a 2 Door version as the El Camino giving Chevy at least one RWD unibody truck.

I agree... I'm not really sure why GM will not utilize Zeta. I've heard it's because CAFE, I've heard it's because of the lack of a supplier base and I've heard it's just because good 'ole fashioned politics. Who knows?

[Dr. Show-Me]

What's the latest on the DT7?

[batplasx]

nsap:
Thanks for your info.
As other posters in this thread have requested, can you provide source references, or some citation for the work that you state is coming into the Spring Hill plant?
Needless to say, a lot of folks here are anticipating the various possibilities and are weighing options concerning their futures.
It would be appreciated if you could validate your claims.
Thanks.

[nsap]

Originally Posted by batplasx

nsap:
Thanks for your info.
As other posters in this thread have requested, can you provide source references, or some citation for the work that you state is coming into the Spring Hill plant?
Needless to say, a lot of folks here are anticipating the various possibilities and are weighing options concerning their futures.
It would be appreciated if you could validate your claims.
Thanks.

It's from the same source that allowed GMI to break the news that Saturn was getting the axe. I don't disclouse my sources in detail due to their wishes and best interests.

Like I have said before, I do NOT recommend anyone make career decisions based on this news. It is not that I don't think it is correct (I do), it is because GM is notorious for CHANGING THEIR MINDS ALL THE TIME. That means this could all change over-night.

[TnRidge]

What kind of time frame are these products coming to Spring Hill ? Model year ?
These new products sound great on paper , but it would be great to get GM to announce something concrete .
If this is true , they will be better products than the compact car that went to Lake Orion. That was a low volume vehicle that would employ less than half of our current workforce .
An article about this thread was printed in our local newspaper today .
http://www.columbiadailyherald.com/a...04escalade.txt

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by nsap

It's from the same source that allowed GMI to break the news that Saturn was getting the axe. I don't disclouse my sources in detail due to their wishes and best interests.

Like I have said before, I do NOT recommend anyone make career decisions based on this news. It is not that I don't think it is correct (I do), it is because GM is notorious for CHANGING THEIR MINDS ALL THE TIME. That means this could all change over-night.

I think my dad's seriously thinking about going back to work after I told him this stuff. Either that or the SPO warehouse by our house.

[SierraGS]

Originally Posted by FUTURE_OF_GM

Maybe GM is betting on the new CAFE to change that.

That's the irony of it, having to make the Ridgeline AWD for truck duties Honda made the design heavy, costly and inefficient - something Gm should learn from and not duplicate. On many webstes where owners disclose actual MPG Ridgeline owners get about the same MPG as Sierra owners of both 2WD and 4WD models with 5.3 V8 engines. I personally would never consider such a comprimised design that requires me to spend around $2,000 for a AWD system I have little to no use for. If the Camaro can get 29 MPG a Denali XT based on the Holden Ute which is already a light duty Regular cab truck an El Camino version with base 3.0L V6 should be able to duplicate it and the Crew Cab Denali XT should be able to do at least 27 MPG with proper gearing. Either way I don't see how a Lambda based SUT is better than a Zeta based truck for MPG, hauling or styling.

Originally Posted by FUTURE_OF_GM

I agree... I'm not really sure why GM will not utilize Zeta. I've heard it's because CAFE, I've heard it's because of the lack of a supplier base and I've heard it's just because good 'ole fashioned politics. Who knows?

Must be politics. Most Truck owners would consider a Zeta based Truck where they probably would not seriously consider a Lambda based one unless it delivered well over 30 MPG (and it won't). Does not make sense, we know an El Camino will sell as well as the Ridgeline (34K in 2008, 43K in 2007) and a Denali XT Crew version in RWD and 4WD/AWD versions will sell even better, put them together GM would have an easy 100K to 150K (maybe 200K) in HIGH PROFIT sales that will raise GM's truck CAFE in the bargain. Sounds like a win-win to me.

[Dr. Show-Me]

Nsap, we all really appreciate your insights into GM thinking(?) and plans. It is refreshing to hear fact, or likely fact, instead of fanboy and GM hater opinions all the time. Thanks for keeping it real!

[PA Dweller]

GM shouldn't make a Sport's Utility Truck for truck owners. It should be for people who are home owners and occasionally have the need for a truck. It should have AWD, it should be able to get 25 MPG highway (With AWD), have a 1500 pound bed capacity, should be as high off the ground as the Ridgeline, crew cab should be standard, and it shouldn't cost more than $35k when fully loaded. If such a truck doesn't come with AWD it will fail, most people that shop for SUT's expect the vehicle to handle the snow/adverse conditions.

I don't see why it would be so hard to do, trucks like the F-150 and Silverado have V8's but already get 20-21 MPG highway. Is it that much of a stretch that a V6 AWD truck can get 25 MPG? I just hope GM makes an SUT with these attributes.

[drew630]

NSAP, your information is making the rounds.

More Speculation On The Spring Hill Plant

There is an internet story that says that the GM/Spring Hill Manufacturing plant is being considered as the assembly site for the next-generation Cadillac Escalade and possibly the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon small trucks.

According to an article published on the Columbia Daily Herald website, a website called “GM Inside News Forum,” is dedicated to General Motors related issues. While not an official General Motors publication, GM Inside News Forum is read by number of GM employees and retirees.

A top union official said the Web site’s reporting was hit or miss and an analyst cast doubts on parts of the report.

In a story titled “Spring Hill Slated for New Product” posted June 26, and updated June 27, the Web site also stated that its sources said the Spring Hill plant could be used to support Michigan’s Lansing Delta Township factory in production of the next-generation Chevrolet Traverse.

GM has routinely declined to comment on speculation regarding possible production sites.

UAW Local 1853 Chairman Mike Herron said he cautioned union members not to read anything into the Web site’s story until it has been verified.

“It was quite a surprise to me when I read the story,” Herron told the Columbia paper. “We don’t know about the validity of this article.” Herron did refer to GM Inside New & Forum as a “connected Web site” that has broken news about the company in the past.

Local radio station...

[TnRidge]

Maybe with GM exiting bankruptcy today and plans to be at 100% capacity by 2011 , Spring Hill might have the "potential" new product soon ?