GM Invests $21m in 2011 Chevy Light-Duty Production

US former bankrupt automaker General Motors today announced that it will invest $21 million to manufacture the 2011 Chevrolet light-duty crew cab at the GM Flint Assembly plant in Flint, Mich. Production will start in mid-2010, the company said in a statement for the press.

The GM Flint Assembly plant is currently the only factory that builds heavy-duty crew cab trucks, namely the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. The $21 million investment will help the US-based company renovate the existing heavy-duty assembly process, new machinery, equipment and tooling to support the light-duty crew cab production in the plant, GM also mentioned in the statement.

"This investment in light-duty crew cab capability enhances Flint Assembly's manufacturing flexibility and future competitiveness," said Larry Zahner, GM Manufacturing manager. "The plant will now be able to produce both heavy-duty and light-duty trucks for General Motors Company on the same assembly line."

As said, production at the Flint Assembly will begin in July 2010, with construction projected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2009. The plant currently employs 1,767 hourly and salaried workers on two shifts.

The 2011 Chevrolet light-duty crew cab is expected to feature outstanding fuel consumption and CO2 emissions as the current models are already the best pickups on the market when it comes to these two particular facts. The 2010 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra have best-in-class fuel economy at 15 miles per gallon in the city and 22 highway, General Motors proudly mentioned in the statement.