Tariffs Already Force GM To Build More Trucks In America
General Motors has released plans to ramp up production of its light-duty trucks at the company's Fort Wayne, Indiana, assembly plant in response to the U.S. government's recent imposition of a 25% tariff on automotive imports.
Key Points
- In response to the U.S. government's 25% tariffs on automotive imports, General Motors plans to increase production at its Fort Wayne, Indiana, assembly plant, which builds the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra.
- GM will briefly halt production from April 22 to 25 for equipment upgrades, and the company plans to hire several hundred temporary workers and add 225-250 full-time employees. The plant will also introduce overtime shifts to increase output.
- This move is part of GM's broader strategy to strengthen domestic production, as the company continues to rely on plants in Mexico and Canada for part of its truck manufacturing.
The facility currently builds the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra—GM also builds the pair of light-duty trucks at plants in Mexico and Canada accounting for roughly half of GM's full-size truck output. According to Reuters, GM has not officially disclosed the exact number of additional trucks to be produced in Fort Wayne, but the union has confirmed that GM will add between 225 and 250 full-time jobs.
GM will also introduce daily and weekend overtime shifts, which will increase the assembly line’s production pace to 9-10 vehicles per hour.
To accommodate the boost in production, the Fort Wayne plant will undergo brief downtime from April 22 to 25 for equipment and process upgrades. This change will enable the plant to increase its output with the addition of several hundred temporary workers to support the expanded production capacity.
GM’s Fort Wayne plant currently employs more than 4,100 workers across three shifts, but the company has not yet provided a specific figure for the additional number of trucks the facility will produce.
GM's decision to ramp up production follows CEO Mary Barra’s earlier comments on the potential for increased U.S. manufacturing in light of the new tariffs. GM also continues to rely on its plants in Canada and Mexico to produce a significant portion of its high margin truck models—especially from Mexico.
Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.
An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
More by Michael Accardi
Comments
Join the conversation
Hmmmm,,,, You already have three shifts going, but you are adding workers and overtime. Unless the shifts are less than 8 hours where are you going to put everyone? They would just be tripping over each other.
I think they are going to expand the plant first. That sounds like a good plan before more hiring. BTW: I have a 2011 GMC Sierra that was built in Ft. Wayne plant. It has been the most reliable vehicle I ever owned, and I got it when US demand was low and prices were also lower. I got lucky this time after getting burned on a Toyota Tundra when they first came out in '99. It was overpriced and expensive to keep on the road. Never again.