With new diesel, GM looking to boost midsize pickup production

[Zane]

Zane Merva

Executive Editor, GM-Trucks.com

10/15/15

 

The Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon midsize pickups are selling just as quickly as GM can make them. With a new diesel engine coming online this fall, the company expects demand to “pickup” even further. Currently, Canyon and Colorado have under a 30-day supply at dealerships.

 

Speaking with GM-Trucks.com yesterday, GM Executive VP of Global Product Development, Mark Reuss explained the company is exploring options to increase capacity at the Wentzville, Missouri plant where the Colorado and Canyon are produced.

 

Currently, General Motors produces four models from two platforms at the assembly. The Chevy Express and Savana full-size vans are produced side by side next to the mid-size Colorado and Canyon.

 

Reuss told GM-Trucks.com that moving the fullsize van production to another plant was a top option that the company was considering. Moving production of an entire vehicle sounds expensive but is as “simple” as moving the metal stamping forms to another production facility, explained Reuss. It was unclear how much additional capacity the move would open up but the company sold over 100,000 of the vans last year.

 

Where would the Express and Savana go? GM isn’t commenting but the Janesville, Wisconsin facility that used to produce the Tahoe, Suburban, & Yukon has been sitting completely idle since 2008 and may be an option.

 

The company originally expected that 10% of Colorado and Canyon buyers would opt for the 2.8L Duramax Diesel once it hit dealerships. Now, just before the downsized diesel engines hit the road, the company expects to bust past that prediction and is scrambling for more capacity.

 

Neither representatives from Chevy or GMC would predict the ultimate take rate for the new engine but were excited at its reception so far.