GM to Add Third Shift at the Wentzville Assembly Plant

General Motors yesterday announced that it would be adding a third shift at the Wentzville Assembly plant to facilitate production of the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon, as well as the Chevy Express and the GMC Savana. The Colorado and Canyon in particular have seen a surge in dealer orders, much higher than GM had initially planned for. Already, dealers have ordered over 30,000 Colorados, making the third shift at the Wentzville Assembly plant not just helpful, but necessary.

GM reports that this move will create an estimated 750 new jobs. These jobs are in addition to the 1,315 jobs that The General committed to with the launch of the new mid-size pickups, as well as the addition of a third stamping press.

Currently, the Wentzville Assembly plant boasts 2,600 hours and salaried workers over two shifts. The third shift is set to begin early next year.

General Motors has done a fair amount of investing in the American workforce in the last five years. Since June 2009, GM has announced investments totaling more than $11.2 billion, which has allowed for the company to either protect or add about 27,000 jobs.

Photo Gallery: A Look at the Canyon and Colorado

Inside the Wentzville Assembly Plant

Photo Source: GM