Touring GM's Fort Wayne Plant Where Silverado and Sierra 1500 Built
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ธ.ค. 2022
- Publisher Tim Esterdahl drove his new Chevy Silverado 1500 back to where it was built at Fort Wayne Assembly plant. He tours the plant and learns exactly how the new Silverado was built.
Subscribe for more Pickup Truck and SUV videos: th-cam.com/users/pickuptruck...
Join this channel to get access to special perks:
/ @pickuptrucktalk
Interested in owner reviews? Check out this playlist: • Pickup Truck Owner Int...
Trying to find the most reliable trucks and SUVs?: • Pickup Trucks, SUVs Re...
Shop our Cafepress store for new Pickup Truck +SUV Talk gear: www.cafepress.com/pickuptruck...
Find us on Facebook: / pickuptrucktalk
Also, on Instagram: / pickuptrucktalk
And on Twitter: / pickuptrucktalk
Our website is here: www.pickuptrucktalk.com - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
My 99 Silverado 1500 was built at this plant. I've had the truck for 15 years and it's still going strong
Glad you got to check it out! I work at Flint Truck Assembly so I get to live this every night. Love my job and the sense of pride of building a quality, world class truck.
i love my 2022 glacier blue silvy 1500, they did a great job, i put only 93 octane since i bought it, already 5k miles and running like a champ.
Always fun to watch precision machinery at work. I was a skilled tradesman at GM for 30 years.
What trade?
Congratulations sir ! Proud career - Indeed . Long time dealership technician - Good stuff !
Decades ago, as an inexperienced auto manufacturing engineer, I interviewed with GM. While I had computer integrated manufacturing education with Fanuc robots, programmable logic controllers, etc. I didn't make the cut. (the GM plant I interviewed at closed several years later) Just as well. I landed in the aerospace industry as a Quality Program Manager / Senior Tech Ops and travelled to Europe to validate subcontractor designs. I've only purchased GM vehicles over the years and remain a shareholder.
Congratulations
Nice!
I work as a PLC technician at the Los Angeles Airport. I have always been fascinated by auto manufacturing lines. But those facilities will shutdown or run out of work just like we saw during covid. Probably not the best place for job security.
Happy to see the second half of the video that actually contained skilled human workers. At first I was wondering why the trucks cost so much when it was parts from Mexico being built by robots
I enjoy your videos. I'm a Gm retiree after 35 years, spent my last 10 years a FT Wayne assembly and left in 2019 after launching the current model. I'm currently trying to order a 2023 with a LZ0 option.
Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel I6. Did you ever get one?
Yes a new 2022 with the 3.0 and max trailer package. Absolutely love it.@@Boobtube.
Fascinating all those robots. Truly amazing what engineers, programmers etc can do.
My 2022 Silverado was built perfectly except one paint nib on the hood and a couple of chips under rear bumper where it isn’t visible. I touched them up.
Yeah, I was at my dealer a couple months ago and they had a white Silverado 1500 5.3 4x4 ltz. Right above the driver door if you looked closely you could see a large paint imperfection that looked like orange peel. The truck was built at this factory in Roanoke Indian, I could tell by the sticker on the door. They are great truck but I just question the quality if something that simple passes through inspection with no problem.
@@wyattgrummert9183 I purchased many trucks in the past before Covid and they all had flaws. Nothing is perfect. You just have to go in to it understanding that.
I have to laugh. Tim bought his truck 10 miles from the assembly plant but still had to pay the $1,800 transport fee...LMAO
Yep, everyone pays destination fee regardless of where you pick up the vehicle
It's another "tax" to divert your attention from an already escalating price.
The destination is the average price to transport a truck. Its not truck specific
Cost averaging which is a very basic sales procedure.
At least I got my 1,800. Worth mine came from Mexico. So long transport lol
Just bought a 22.5 LTZ w/a 3.0 Duramax a little over a month ago that was built at that plant. Good job folks…!
Pretty sweet to see thats where my 23 silverado was built got the sticker in the door
Being a contracted construction worker, I’ve spent a LOT of time in factories and plants. I’m a life long Chevy guy but I’ve worked at Ford…the technology behind the vehicle is truly amazing, but I can tell you first hand…the demons and dark sides in these plants is truly scary. They are extremely dangerous, managed NO way how they were 40 years ago, and the end product is NOTHING in quality the way they used to be made. Things aren’t made to the quality as they were in the past. That’s the sad fact. A 50k MSRP vehicle should truly only cost about 24k, if we are going on quality alone. It’s sad. Great Vid Tim…keep it up man!
Wait a minute I'm a union Carpenter for 39 years worked at the Parma plant in Cleveland Ohio for a couple weeks Kool place there's no way my 81 z 28 was better then my 08 Corvette or my 2021 High Country Truck. Been buying gm for 42 years. The 50s and 60s designs were great bel air gto chevelle but we were always fixing them. Just my thoughts.
Amazing manufacturing process. My 1994 GMC Sierra half ton was built in this plant, and I can only imagine how manufacturing here has changed since then. I bought my pickup new, and it is still a good truck at 295,000 original miles. Conscientious maintenance is the key.
That was the best video I've ever seen of this. Most have been so short that you miss a lot of the steps of assembly. Thanks !
I retired from Toledo Jeep Assembly Plant in 2009 and hired on with MTS hauling parts from Detroit to Fort Wayne GM plant . I made some good money for 3 years but got burnt out .
25 year member of UAW Local 2209. Journeyman millwright, paint department. You missed out not getting to go through the paint processes. Pre-treat building has the Phosphate dip tanks, ELPO tank, ELPO oven, and multiple lanes of robotic sealer application. Main Paint building has Primer booth, 2 Primer ovens, 10 Paint mods with base and clear coats, 10 ovens, and multiple inspections and defect repair areas before going to General Assembly.
Paint is really impressive. I toured Flint Assembly and saw them paint the HD trucks. Truly good work.
There's another video on TH-cam that shows everything you're describing except for the oven part. At the same plant, if I recall correctly.
Very impressed!! Thanks for the tour of the GM plant.
I like how the GMC coming right behind the chevy, but there not the same truck! right,lol
Thanks Tim. I really enjoyed this. Not something everyone gets to see.
It is always interesting on how the manufacturing process changes over the years. Great video!
That is a cool experience to watch. I have a 2020 Trail Boss with the 6.2 and love it.
Excellent - good man. Envious - but super cool ! Enjoy it and good times big buddy .
Tim thanks for the interview and plant tour. According to GM my truck is in the holding yard waiting on transport. It’s pretty cool to see the Chevy and GMC truck made on the same line.
When did you order?
Interesting video. Thanks for the inside peak and sharing your tour with us.
Tim we absolutely love the plant tour sir! A key buying metric for me is the ability to buy local if possible and provide someone near by a family sustaining job. Since I am in NE Ohio it makes sense to have a ford in my garage from Dearborn and now I need a gm from Ft Wayne!
Pretty cool to see the processes. I had to chuckle a little at the attempt blur peoples faces though. Nothing quite like trying to hit a moving target! 🤣
SUPER Thanks for sharing most informative factory tour yet Thanks Mike
I've always wanted to follow the assembly line and watch my actual vehicle be built. This video is possibly the closest I'll ever get to experiencing that.
Right ! Me too - pretty cool stuff . Love my Silverado ! Very nice vehicle - No $$$$ to say that !
Top notch production/ assembly / finish , etc . Impressive ! Tight and right . As Per …
There is a lot of human craftsmanship we are not seeing , yet . WHAT A factory ! Damn -
Skid plate set up = Z-71 I believe that is correct …
Superb just like being there in person, nicely done and super interesting, thank you
This was cool and interesting, thanks for sharing!
Super cool and informative. Thank you for this video
Good video Tim! I love more my Silverado 👍 Thanks!!
Wow that was interesting I'm glad you shared this with us thanks.!!!!!!
Awesome video!
Interesting what he mentioned at the beginning. the shortage of man power is what makes some of the automation necessary. There's alot of truth to this statement across many industries.
Awesome! He really explained the processes well. I learned a lot!
Great to hear!
@25:28. Hey look it’s Jim Bob
I have been through the BMW factory in Greer SC many times. I think Jill deserves. Her own field trip there.
Great video, Tim. You might also have inadvertently provided one of the better early looks of what the new Sterling Grey color looks like on the '23 trucks - so thanks for that, too!
I’d still rather have silver. My fav color is silver on the Silverado
Mine is Northsky Blue (aka Pacific Blue on the GMC). Great color shift on it. Looks almost black at night and intense metallic blue on a bright sunny day.
The truck my company has on order, which is due to arrive in a few weeks, is being built in that factory. I even saw the trim on one of the vehicles moving down line. I'm really impressed at the automation.
I have a question -- are GMC and Chevrolet trucks both being built in this factory? The guide said something about doors being built for both.
Yes, they build both
These videos are so fascinating! I would love to know what happened to the GM double cabs?!? It seems like everything is a crew cab?
They are built in Mexico.
@Pickup Truck Plus SUV Talk interesting! I have not seen any at my local dealerships in a long time
Double Cab Elevations are built in Indiana.
Pretty cool process to see
That's where spent 32years working....
Super coo; video, Tim!
Your video is making me want a new Chevy truck.
I noticed the dealership stock levels are filling up so the chip shortage must be easing up.
My 2018 4.3L was built here. 60k no issues except the lower paint where it’s spray lined and painted over has a few spots with small bubbles that could be popped. Sure it’s moisture and the rust prevention with paint over top is not a good look. Other than that amazing truck!
Fascinating!!!
Did they say how long from start to finish it takes to build a truck? I have a 2023 Silverado Trail Boss Lt ordered, they said a start date of the week of December 12th. Just wondering, I would love to see that in person. Awesome video 👍.
haha just watching this and didnt even notice you guys recording. I was putting on the fascias and window stickers!
How many days does it take start to finish to complete a build.
Tim, thanks for the interesting video. I like that you took the time to film the process slowly so we could understand how it all works. Are the frames now painted? It looks like they are or is that wax?
Wax. I really want to deep dive on it, but the frames were already done. I’m working on a new angle.
@@Pickuptrucktalk Thanks Tim! Seems like they could use a new process like powdered paint or other coating process to protect the truck frames. I have had many GM work trucks and the frames start rusting pretty quickly. I’m surprised with all the investment in robotic body assembly welding, exacting panel alignment processes and flawless paint work they would still be waxing frames as they have for decades now! I guess you might have an update on that, it should be interesting.
Great video.
My dad used to work there in the 90s
Nice video sir! Watched some videos building the HD pickups. Noticed some people are blurred. Not wanting to be in the video or sensitive area? Just curious.
UAW rules and regulations. I could have possibly gotten permission from each person but simpler to just blur.
Thinking about the paint shop, I always wondered if DeLoreans used stainless steel so that John didn't have to invest in a paint shop when he built the plant in Dunmurry. There's a ton of money into the paint shops at these auto plants.
The final model years of the DeLorean were painted
That was very cool.
Just bought a 2022 Silverado 1500 Glacier Blue Metalliac RST. my only gripe is they all should still come with the rear seat armrest. My son was quite bummed. We picked off a dealer lot not ordered.
Bought 5 new GM trucks last few years and all were built in Ft Wayne....cant believe 1 wasn't from mexico....2 were HDs and think all those are here but still.....pretty low odds
My 2022 Silverado Custom came from Ft. Wayne, got it in January and have 15k miles on it and almost a year old already. So far, no issues and averaging 20.5 total mpg with that little four banger with 310 hp.
Those robots had to graduate from robot college to work there. 😂
My truck was made there,it's a good truck
Tim. Which one you like better. The Silverado or the tundra?
So my Escalade started to assemble on February 10. Based on your experience how long do I have to wait until that car is available to pick up? Thanks!
That was really bitchin Tim, I enjoyed seeing where my truck was built.....am sure it's not easy keeping that thing moving 24/7.......all those trucks looked super nice.....I wish mine had the black wheel pkg with Dark Ash paint I have.....cpl options wish I would have got but oh well...
That was very cool 😎
The tour guide mentions people not wanting to work in manufacturing. Everyone I worked with liked the work, the management treated us poorly. They were always headed towards robotics anyway. 2:16
I seen you guys walking through body shop.
Awesome!
no refinish tour? Disappointed not to see that process...future video?
Cool video
I assume your silverado has puddle lights under the outside mirrors. Do they come on everytime the door is opened? And is there a button somewhere to turn them on, without opening the door.
I'm waiting on an HD long box. Not sure where it would be built at.
I wonder where the trailboss is made?
Was there any discussion of why they use wax coated Vs e coated frames?
Not at this plant. That's an engineering question and I've asked multiple times. They think the wax is superior since it regrows over scratches whereas when you scratch paint, it invites rust in.
My truck is still sitting in fort wayne in there holding lot. The truck was built 1st of August and I’m still waiting and it’s just about the end of the year. Marked has intermediate delivery. What does that mean?????
Tim, how would a person sign up for a plant tour? I have had my new 2023 Silverado 1500 High Country for two weeks and it was also built at the Roanoke plant. I would like to tour the engine and tranmission plants as well, maybe others too.
Honestly, I’m not sure. As you’d imagine, I have some special access due to my profession.
@@Pickuptrucktalk yes you have some connections in the automotive world. I'll try to reachout to GM and see what they say. Cannot hurt to ask.
And now a TV star as well. Great job. I wonder how long it takes to setup and troubleshoot one of those production lines?@@Pickuptrucktalk
@@NMTRUCKER there are special launch teams that come in to run a new model through the production line. My Dad was on that team at times. It would take a few months back then.
Talking with the guy in General Assembly and he says it now it much more seamless with the robots easily reprogrammed and the lack of big sheet metal changes.
@@Pickuptrucktalk This was really interesting....learned a lot ...Maybe you could do a tour of a Tahoe plant or a HD plant...really interesting...
I’m taking my cap off tailgate and looking for paint runs lol. Next year they’ll have a robot supervisor explaining everything since you don’t need any hourly people.
Love the video but didn't like the frame getting turned upright and having the driveshaft slam on the frame.
Seems to be a back log for the LZ0 diesel engine, I'm two months in line now waiting for an allocation, to make my order here in California.
Do all the Silverado factories, including the Mexico City plant, produce 1500 diesels?
I ordered a 3 liter diesel on Oct 28th. The order went 3400 scheduled to be built the week of December 12th. Then the order went back to 3100! My dealer informed me last Friday my build week Is now mid January. Concurrently I was also watching on the GM web site inventory with in a 250 mile radius of my zip for similar built trucks to my order. On Saturday I saw a truck built with everything I ordered including color about 150 miles from home. I called the dealer and put a deposit on the truck. Picked up my new High Country 3 liter diesel this morning. No more waiting or anxiety wondering about a when I might get a truck. If your able I would strongly suggest watching for dealer ordered on the GM site. Worked for me.
All crew cab 1500s come from Fort Wayne. Just a matter of getting the engines into the plant.
Did you see the GMC AT4 I ordered in march that I still don’t have yet
Sorry I don’t think I did!
How are their current production numbers compared to normal? Are they getting the parts they need to build complete trucks at a normal pace?
Nope. Parts shortages still remain.
It depends what trim and configuration you order. Ordering a Heavy Duty work truck with a long bed and diesel engine is not easy due to the chip shortage. But you can go to a car lot today and buy a 1500 LT crew cab with short bed, no problem. They're marked up heavily due to demand and yes, chip shortages, but there are lower budget options like the 2.7L turbo models with basic packages. But, overall, the prices reflect low supply.
@25:28 Hey look it’s Jim Bob
Do they still pull random builds to check processes?
Looking at a Fort Wayne build RST as we speak.
3-14-23.
Yup.
It's a real science now
Have and will you ever get a ram I haven’t seen your channel long just wondering
Lego's I just finished the Saturn V rocket out of Legos. If that can take man to the moon, Legos can sure build your truck 🙂
I love the looks of GM truck's but longevity is poor. The chassis rust out very bad here in Eastern Canada. GM have to stop waxing their Chassis.
Tim said they told him they think the wax works. I'd tell them to do as I did and start looking under trucks in a parking lot. The painted frames of the other manufacturers look way better after just a few years.
Clear coat fell off on my 18 Silverado. 😂 “Art form”
My 2022 Silverado Dmax fit and finish is miles ahead of any Mopar I’ve owned! Silverado is near perfection! Been a Ram, 300 and Challenger owner and they suck azz for fit and finish!
thought these were made in mexico mine was
They do both Mexico and Ft Wayne
I have 21 Silverado 1500 going to my window sticker it was assembled in Mexico
They were made in us too vin 1….gmcs too…. You wanted a 19’ or early 20’ most of the 21’s were made in Mexico…when the 19’ body dropped,they built the crew cab slt’s and denalis in this plant first,once they got going, they transferred some of the work to the Mexico plant… I’m sure silverados were the same .ltz and high country. you shoulda looked at that vin before buying it.
Fantastic video! Very interesting and informative. Congratulations on your new truck. I’ve currently own a 2019 Tundra TRD and have had 0 issues with it. Same thing with my 2013 Tundra. My Tundras and Camrys have been extremely reliable and capable vehicles. Unfortunately, I think Toyota has missed the mark huge with the Gen 3 Tundra. Everything from ascetics, quality, connectivity, and no front tow hooks!? I will not be considering the new Tundra as a replacement for my 2019 when the time comes. GMC is now at the top of the list and I would be very interested in your assessment of general quality of the truck.
Thank you for the content.
Wait, you forgot a step between completion and shipping.... they sit for months (no joke)!! 🙂
They call them "near builds" for the ones they are waiting on parts from. They didn't have as many of them sitting around the plant like I thought they would.
....or they sit in a parking lot for over 8 months waiting for "CPUs" while local dealerships receive updated 2023 models with the same build specs.
Interesting
Right off the bat, you are seeing beds and outer panel, then we have people taking them to where they need to go. Robot welding in the background. More faster and more efficient as he says. 32:19 "uh-oh I gotta go save my money" that was funny. But he knows how much it cost to build these trucks and how much they are marked up. $50,000.00 - 70,000.00 plus for truck that I am sure cost less than $20,000.00 to build with every part. All the parts are Mass produced costing pennies on the dollar. 34:11 "Your doing enough to make money for us"
What he should have said, was "doing enough to make LOTS of money for us". With parts being Mass produce and seeing how this assembly line works and 1300 truck a day, you have to pretty naive to think that a $50 - 70,000.00 truck cost more than 20,000.00 to build.
Everyone these trucks uses the same general parts. Going from one trim package that cost hundreds of dollars to produce marked up thousands of dollars. And the same markup to the next trim package. When you get to the cars that is loaded with plastic parts, do you ever wonder how much you just paid for plastic? If they take off 30 - 35% they are still making LOT of money and selling a lot more vehicles.
No wonder the CEO of GM make 29 million per year. That's generational wealth! Not Me!!!
A “Chevrolet intensive website” 😅
UAW rules and regulations. I could have possibly gotten permission from each person but simpler to just blur.
@@Pickuptrucktalk Was a great video and very informative. That second guy seemed like a good guy. Lol when his wife called.
Also I think I saw the robot Sigourney Weaver used to fight the alien.
@@pryme2013 Thanks. Sorry for the weird comment. TH-cam screwed up and put my reply under another post.
These are much better built than the Mexican made ones. I owned one and it was plagued with issues.
Would have been nice if we weren't looking through a wire fence, interesting nonetheless
Yeah, safety protocol.
Can't even get wheel liners on GM pickups unless you order them separate ... another way for GM to milk customers some more...
I am trying to buy a GMC Sierra At4, made in the USA. But in Texas it’s hit or miss. Mexico or Canada sell here for the same price as a US made one. My father and son didn’t wear the military uniform of Canada or Mexico, so I won’t buy a vehicle made there.
Could you imagine what the prices would be if it weren't so many robots.. geez
This video is sad to watch. All the Automation has taken so many jobs away from the Blue Collar industry. I worked 30 years at GM retiring in 2009 and consider myself extremely fortunate. My Father retired from the same location years ago. At one time back in the 1980’s, we had over 5,000 employees at our location working two shifts. Our State had two different assembly plants. One GM, one Chrysler.
They were both closed and dozed years ago taking over 10,000 jobs in our small State! Our GM Plant is now an Amazon.
you feel like Lucy ,only over 40 will get it ..When I saw the cab come down I couldn't help but think "and then it comes off in four years to change the oil pump belt ,,,,,"
I thought it was transmission removal, not cab. And you think many will drive 50k miles a year to need that required belt change?
@@ALMX5DP Everything I've seen said just trans, not cab at 150k. Tim interviewed a GM rep who said they may be raising that service interval.
You know you guys are right it was lifting the the cab up to change the cam gear that was bad you guys are correct it's just the transmission for the belt