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GM Pens $24 Million For Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra Plant

The Fort Wayne Assembly Plant Sees A Round Of Upgrades To Increase Production

Combined sales of the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 increased 20 percent year over year during the first quarter of 2019, and General Motors is projecting the same trend for the second quarter of 2019. This spurt in demand has motioned the Detroit automaker to invest an additional $24 million into the Fort Wayne Assembly plant in Indiana. GM CEO Mary Barra visited the plant to make the announcement first hand.

GM says that the $24 million will be invested to update the plant’s conveyors and other tooling to support the increased production, with work expected to be completed this summer. GM has now invested more than $1.2 billion in the plant since 2015. GM has invested $23 billion in U.S. manufacturing since 2009.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 add several notable updates to their respective rosters. The 2020 Silverado 1500 Trail Boss and RST each now get the mighty L87 6.2L V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, while both trucks see the introduction of the 3.0L inline-six Duramax diesel engine delivering 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both the 2020 Sierra 1500 and 2020 Silverado 1500 also get new trailering technology with 15 different camera views. One of which is segment-first transparent trailer view that uses the tailgate-mounted camera and an available accessory camera mounted on the rear of the trailer. The resulting display helps the driver to virtually see through the trailer. This can come in handy when backing up, navigating parking lots, merging into traffic and making tight turns.

Finally, the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 will get the first-ever CarbonPro Edition, available on either AT4 or Denali trim levels. This introduces a state-of-the-art carbon fiber reinforced plastic truck bed, that saves 62 lbs compared to standard, while significantly upgrading durability. Having such a party trick truck is not cheap, as the 2020 Sierra AT4 CarboPro Edition carries an MSRP of $66,635. The Denali variant comes in over $70,000.

Written by Manoli Katakis

Muscle Cars & Trucks was founded by Manoli Katakis - an automotive media veteran that has been covering the latest car news since 2009. His journalism has uncovered dozens of major product changes, updates, plans, and cancellations long before automakers were ready to make things official.

Some highlights over the years of his reporting include the uncovering of the Zora trademark before anybody else reported on the coming of a mid-engine Corvette, as well as the dead-accurate reporting of the coming of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, two years before it hit the market, and even before the debut of the concept vehicle. This type of reporting has immediately continued here, with reports of the original seventh-generation Camaro plans being shelved, as well as what's in store for the Chevrolet Silverado.

Some of his work can be found on massive automotive media outlets, such as Motor1. He also has been a guest on the 910AM Radio Station with Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne, as well as the enthusiast-oriented Camaro Show podcast.

Over the years, Manoli has interviewed various automotive industry titans, leaders, and people that make things happen otherwise. These include figureheads such as GM CEO Mary Barra, GM President Mark Reuss, automotive aftermarket icon Ken Lingenfelter, Dodge firebrand Tim Kuniskis, along with various chief engineers of vehicles such as the Ford F-150 & Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro & Corvette, and many more.

At MC&T, Manoli is taking his journalism expertise, deeply planted sources, driving abilities, and automotive industry knowledge to new levels, covering more vehicles and brands than ever before. This is the place where you will continue to read groundbreaking stories about American performance vehicles, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Here is where you’ll also read insights and quotes from various automotive subject matter experts on the latest relevant products, as well as some of the latest official news from their manufacturers.

Fun facts: he also once beat Corvette Racing driver Tommy Milner in an autocross with a Chevrolet Bolt EV. The biggest vehicle he’s ever driven is a John Deere mining truck. Besides a go-kart, the smallest vehicle he’s driven has been a Hyundai i10. He’s also spent time in the cockpit of various American performance vehicle icons, including the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, Dodge Challenger Demon, and Ford Mustang GT350R. He has reviewed dozens of trucks, SUVs, and performance vehicles over the years.

One of his favorite new vehicles on the market today happens to be the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison. He is also a card carrying member of the Sports Car Club of America, and regularly participates in Detroit Region autocross events.

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