GM Invests $1.5B in Next-Gen Midsize Pickups
The automaker plans to use $1 billion of the investment in upgrades to the Wentzville, Mo., truck plant, including new machines, conveyors, controls, and tooling.
GM has invested heavily in midsize trucks in recent years, bringing more product features to market including new diesel and gas engines, new transmissions, and special edition models.
Photo: General Motors
General Motors plans to invest $1.5 billion to bring its next-gen midsize pickup trucks to market. GM’s Wentzville, Mo., truck plant will receive $1 billion of this investment to upgrade the facility in preparation for the new products. This investment is expected to retain about 4,000 good-paying U.S. manufacturing jobs at the Wentzville site.
Specific information related to GM’s next generation of mid-size trucks is not being released at this time.
The Wentzville plant’s paint shop, body shop, and general assembly areas will receive upgrades, including new machines, conveyors, controls, and tooling.
“Through this investment, General Motors is making a firm commitment to the State of Missouri, the City of Wentzville and the GM Wentzville team,” said Mark Reuss, GM president. “This is part of our comprehensive strategy to invest in growth areas and strengthen our U.S. manufacturing base. GM sells more pickups than any other automaker and we have aggressive plans to build on our strengths.”
Since reintroducing the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon in 2013, GM has sold more than 700,000 midsize pickups in the U.S. The Colorado and Canyon have helped cement GM as the U.S. industry’s most successful pickup truck company for four consecutive years. According to the automaker, GM sold 600,000 more pickups than any other competitor in the U.S. from 2013 through Q3 2019.
GM has invested heavily in midsize trucks in recent years, bringing more product features to market including new diesel and gas engines, new transmissions, and special edition models such as the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and Bison, as well as the GMC Canyon AT4 (available next year).
GM’s Wentzville assembly plant opened in 1983. The plant operates on three shifts of production and currently employs about 4,000 hourly and 330 salaried employees. Wentzville builds the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon midsize pickups and Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans. Hourly employees are represented by UAW Local 2250.
Editor's Note: Location of plant updated 01/28/2020
More Vehicle Research
Rivian Layoffs Will Not Impact Production Workers, R2 Has Launched
Rivian announces layoffs, but production is not expected to be impacted as the electric vehicle manufacturer starts R2 SUV deliveries to customers. The company’s 2026 first-quarter net profit was down $87 million from the same quarter in 2025.
Read More →
Chevrolet Reveals Fleet-Focused 2027 Silverado 1500 With New V8 Engines and Updated Technology
The 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 adds new V8 engines, updated technology, and a redesigned Work Truck model aimed at commercial and fleet customers.
Read More →
Clinton Aluminum Finds Success with Mack MD7, Plans All-Mack Fleet
After finding success with 17 Mack MD7 medium-duty leased trucks, Clinton Aluminum has now decided to convert its 34-vehicle fleet to an all-Mack fleet. Here is why.
Read More →
Toyota Alabama Celebrates 25 Years of Producing Tundra and Tacoma Powertrains
Toyota Alabama celebrates 25 years of producing Tundra and Tacoma powertrain components, surpassing 11 million engines built in Huntsville.
Read More →
Heavy-Duty Performance: Ram 2500 Walkthrough
The Ram Heavy Duty lineup is designed to support a wide range of fleet, utility, construction, and vocational applications while providing the technology operators expect from a modern truck. This walkaround video will explain the Ram 2500’s features and capabilities.
Read More →
All-New Mack Granite Cab Designed from Driver Input
Mack Trucks’ all-new Mack Granite will be available later in 2026 and features a driver-centric interior that was developed with input from more than 30 professional drivers through an unbiased clinic at Virginia Tech.
Read More →
Nissan Frontier Sport Edition: Off-Road Ready with Upgrades Available
Nissan’s 2027 Frontier Sport Edition gives customers off-road features, including all-terrain tires, an aluminum skid plate, fog lamps, and front accent lighting. Like every Frontier, it comes standard with Nissan's 3.8-liter V6.
Read More →
Hand-Painted Mack LR Models Unveiled During Trucks of Art Program in New York City
The New York City Department of Sanitation, in collaboration with its nonprofit partner the Sanitation Foundation, unveiled five new hand-painted Mack LR refuse vehicles during New York City’s Trucks of Art program.
Read More →
Ford Pro Extends 5-Year/100,000-Mile Limited Powertrain Warranty to Ranger, Maverick and E-Transit
Ford Pro expands its 5-year/100,000-mile Limited Powertrain Warranty to the 2027 Ranger and E-Transit for eligible fleet buyers.
Read More →
Are You Tracking Your Fleet's True Total Cost of Ownership?
Bobit Business Media surveyed 190 fleet professionals and found that while most fleets are tracking costs, fragmented systems and data gaps are keeping true TCO visibility out of reach. With rising pressure to control spend in an increasingly volatile environment, the gap between what fleets think they know and what the data actually shows is wider than you might expect. See how your peers are managing costs today and where the industry still has room to improve.
Read More →