General Motors has announced plans to add a third shift at its Flint, MI, assembly plant, which will result in the creation of 750 jobs, the company said. The plant builds the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups.
“Adding a third shift is a response to customer demand for heavy-duty pickups, which most people use to tow, haul and plow,” said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America. “Equally importantly, it brings jobs and a needed economic boost to the Flint area.”
The new shift is expected to begin production in the third quarter. GM employs 2,100 currently at the Flint plant over two shifts. It produces 115,000 trucks a year, the company said.
“I’m very proud of the Flint assembly team and what we have accomplished in the past year to launch the light- and heavy-duty pickups,” said Flint assembly plant manager Amy Farmer. “The support of the UAW, its members and leaders was instrumental in making the heavy-duty truck the critical favorite when compared to trucks offered by our competitors.”
Farmer was referring to the fact the Silverado HD was named the 2011 Motor Trend Truck of the Year.
GM recently reported a 29% increase in full-size pickup sales in December vs. December 2009, and a 17% increase for full-year sales over 2009.