Rumor: GM Could Contract Out Production of Cutaway Vans to AM General
2016 GMC Savana 2500 Cargo Van
Photo: © General Motors
With the Chevy Colorado recently defending its title as the Motor Trend Truck of the year and the GMC Canyon doing so well that it added a Denali trim for the 2017 model year, it’s safe to say that General Motors has really knocked it out the park with both of those models, and that’s why a third shift has been added to the GM plant in Wentzville, Missouri.
The additional shift was meant to ensure that GM would be able to keep up with the growing demand for both of its popular midsize trucks, which are produced at the plant, but GM is also rumored to be moving production of its cutaway vans from the Wentzville plant to AM General. This reported deal could happen as early as next year.
AM General is known for producing vehicles for both the military and commercial sectors, but the company made headlines earlier this year when it reached an agreement with Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc. to produce Mercedes-Benz R-Class models at its plant in Mishawaka, Indiana.
AM General has other plants in Ohio and offices in Virginia.
If production of cutaway vans is in fact contracted out to AM General, then the GMC Savana and Chevrolet Express would be two vehicles that would no longer be produced at the GM Plant in Wentzville.
“We have nothing to announce with regard to production changes at GM Wentzille Assembly,” said GM spokesman Bill Grotz.
The Detroit Free Press reported that UAW Local 2250 President Van Simpson also declined to comment on the rumor.
News Source: The Detroit News
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