GM adds second shift at Flint truck plant

[PontiacJ8]

DETROIT — Strong sales of medium duty commercial trucks is prompting General Motors Corp. to add a second production shift at its Flint truck assembly plant.

The plant, which also builds full-size pickup trucks, currently operates on a single shift, employing 3,370 workers.

GM won’t be hiring any new workers to staff the second shift, company spokesman Dan Flores said, but will draw from a pool of idled workers and employees from other plants.

It’s not clear, he said, how many additional positions would need to be filled when the second shift goes into operation in September.

Demand for GM’s medium duty commercial trucks is running far ahead of last year’s sales pace. About 12,500 units have been sold this year. In 2003, GM sold 20,906 medium duty trucks, Flores said.

“Commercial trucks are used as a tool by businesses to generate revenue,” said Flores, “so it’s just one sign the economy is picking up, because businesses are starting to spend more money.”

Source: The Detroit News

[paul8488]

what do these trucks look like? how big are they? i don't know what a medium duty truck is. i can't believe that many trucks are used exclusively by fortune tellers.

[monkeylizard]

Originally posted by paul8488@Jun 17 2004, 04:13 PM
what do these trucks look like? how big are they? i don't know what a medium duty truck is. i can't believe that many trucks are used exclusively by fortune tellers.

Here is a link to the Chevrolet website for commercial trucks.

http://www.chevrolet.com/medium_duty/


Keep in mind that the line rate at Flint Assembly plant is probably only around 10 jobs per hour. Medium Duty trucks are not made at 60+ jobs per hour like the regular size pickups or other high volume products.

[doh]

These are awhsome trucks, I sold 1 last year a Kodiak cutaway with a 18' refered body and let me tell you that they are twice the truck of the old 3500 HD. They even top the F-450\550's for payload and turning radiuThe 230hp\300hp Duramax kicks the 6.5L from the 3500 HD also.

I suspect they are looking towards the increaed sale do to the addition of the 4X4 into the line up aswell.

[surferdude00711]

Originally posted by doh@Jun 17 2004, 05:07 PM
These are awhsome trucks, I sold 1 last year a Kodiak cutaway with a 18' refered body and let me tell you that they are twice the truck of the old 3500 HD. They even top the F-450\550's for payload and turning radiuThe 230hp\300hp Duramax kicks the 6.5L from the 3500 HD also....

Thats great but I'd rather have a four-seat SSR than 2 of those. Woudn't that be hot?

[jdits7]

These trucks are very hot sellers. The company I work for worked with GM to produce a pickup box for these trucks. It is selling very well. Here is a link to our webpage and also a picture of one of these trucks. http://www.monroetruck.com/KodiakPU.asp
http://www.monroetruck.com/images/KodiakPickupHome.jpg

JD

[doh]

Originally posted by surferdude00711+Jun 17 2004, 06:59 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (surferdude00711 @ Jun 17 2004, 06:59 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-doh@Jun 17 2004, 05:07 PM
These are awhsome trucks, I sold 1 last year a Kodiak cutaway with a 18' refered body and let me tell you that they are twice the truck of the old 3500 HD. They even top the F-450\550's for payload and turning radiuThe 230hp\300hp Duramax kicks the 6.5L from the 3500 HD also....

Thats great but I'd rather have a four-seat SSR than 2 of those. Woudn't that be hot? [/b][/quote]
Yes and carry 2 cartons of milk at a time on your deliveries, then just deliver alot more often lol.

[LIKAROK]

:flush:

[doh]

Originally posted by LIKAROK@Jun 20 2004, 03:24 AM
These are work trucks.....the company that I work for just got one for me that a fellow crew member will run. GMC 5500 , Duramax (300hp) with Allison trans. and this truck is an amazing little work horse with all the creature comforts.

After 5 years of Ford 550's this GMC makes the Fords look laughable. Thje reason we went with the GM is GVW ......5500 to 550 the GM has a 4000 lbs. higher GVW.
and with the Duramax and Allison this truck smokes....we love it.

I'll have to check that 4000lb mark it sounds kinda high,but the truck is far ahead of the F550 now in turning, ride and admendities. engines are close tough because the 550 now has the 6.0L powerstroke\torqueshift trans.

[LIKAROK]

:flush:

[doh]

F 550 GVWR 19000lbs
C5500 GVWR 18000lbs std. 19500 opt.

rear axles
F550 13500 lbs
C5500 13500lbs std.15000lbs opt.

front axle
F 550 6000lbs
C5500 6000lbs 7000lbs opt.

Sorry guy. I do believe that the C 5500 is a better truck but not 4000lbs they are both in the same weight class hence the 55 names