GM Defense Begins Build-Out of North Carolina Facility for Production of Infantry Squad Vehicle

Washington, D.C. — GM Defense LLC, a subsidiary of General Motors, today announced that it has started renovations of an existing GM building to support the production of the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV), a light and agile all-terrain troop carrier intended to transport a nine-Soldier infantry squad. The facility, located in Concord, North Carolina, will produce ISVs for the U.S. Army as part of a $214.3 million contract awarded to GM Defense in June 2020. GM Defense celebrated the delivery of its first ISVs to the U.S. Army in October of the same year, just 120 days from contract award.

Construction at the 75,000-square-foot facility is expected to continue into early spring, and the production line will begin delivering vehicles in April. As GM Defense ramps to full-rate production, the facility will help to manufacture 649 ISVs and will support the production of up to 2,065 vehicles with additional authorization over eight years. The ISV program is the first major award for GM Defense since the subsidiary was re-established by its parent company in 2017.

“We have tremendous momentum behind our ISV win, featuring a first-of-its-kind tactical wheeled vehicle that gives our Soldiers speed, durability and performance to enhance mission success,” said Tim Herrick, interim president of GM Defense. “GM Defense is responsible for the design, engineering and manufacturing of the ISV. This facility will enable us to meet our customer’s timeline for delivery while continuing our journey to bring commercial technologies and transformative mobility solutions to the defense market.”

The ISV is based off the award-winning 2020 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 midsize truck architecture and leverages 90 percent proven commercial-off-the-shelf parts, including Chevrolet Performance race components. The 5,000-pound ISV was uniquely engineered to fulfill military requirements and designed to provide rapid ground mobility. This expeditionary vehicle is light enough to be sling loaded from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter and compact enough to fit inside a CH-47 Chinook helicopter for air transportability. The ISV’s innovative Rollover Protection System (ROPS) will provide agile transportability on any battleground.

The GM Defense production facility is located near North Carolina-based Hendrick Motorsports, which brings its extensive experience developing race cars in high-load, high-risk environments, to support defense applications. Hendrick Motorsports is responsible for providing the chrome-moly steel exoskeleton of the vehicle frame, including the ISV ROPS system.

GM Defense also has a teaming agreement with Ricardo Defense, which will lead the Integrated Product Support for the ISV, including technical manual development, new equipment training, provisioning, total package fielding and field service support.

GM Defense is driving the future of military mobility by leveraging the best-in-class capabilities of General Motors for unmatched innovation, proven performance and breakthrough life-cycle economics.  The ISV will bring world class manufacturing efficiencies, ease of maintenance and a well-established global supply chain to the U.S. Army.

Stay tuned for future updates on www.GMDefenseLLC.com.

GM Defense LLC delivers integrated vehicles, power & propulsion, and mobility & autonomy solutions to global defense, security, and government markets. The exceptional reliability of GM Defense’s technologies results from decades of proven performance and billions of dollars spent in independent research and development by its parent, General Motors, a world leader in global design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities.

GM Investing $76 Million in Two U.S. Manufacturing Plants

 

Company allocates $70 million to Tonawanda, New York engine plant 

and more than $6 million to Parma, Ohio stamping plant

WARREN, Mich. — General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) announced today plans to invest $70 million into its Tonawanda, New York engine plant and more than $6 million into its Parma, Ohio metal stamping plant. These two manufacturing-related investments support continued strong customer and dealer demand for GM’s Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups.

The Tonawanda investment will be used to increase capacity on the engine block machining line and the Parma investment will be used to construct four new metal assembly cells to support increased truck production volumes.

“GM continues to invest to strengthen our core business and respond to growing customer demand for our full-size pickups,” said Phil Kienle, GM vice president of North America Manufacturing and Labor Relations. “Our Tonawanda and Parma teams are dedicated to building world-class products for our customers and these investments reflect our confidence in these teams.”

Tonawanda produces award-winning engines including the 4.3L V-6, 5.3L V-8, and the 6.2L V-8 Ecotec3 family of engines for the Chevrolet Silverado, Suburban and Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Yukon Denali, and Cadillac Escalade. In addition, the plant builds the 6.6L small-block gas V-8 engine for the Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD pickups. The Tonawanda engine plant is home to approximately 1,300 employees. The plant’s hourly workforce is represented by UAW Local 774.

The Parma Metal Center processes over 800 tons of steel per day and services and supports approximately 35 customers, including the majority of General Motors North America produced vehicles. Parma has over 750 total dies and is capable of producing up to 100 million parts per year. The manufacturing processes include small, medium and large transfer press lines, high speed progressive presses, and a world class cut-to-length shear, as well as GM North America’s largest stand-alone, multi-cell, resistance and laser welding metal assembly operations. Parma employs approximately 1,000 employees. Hourly employees are represented by UAW Local 1005.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year From Paradise Fleet

 

We wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our customers, friends, and family. It has been a challenging year, and that is all the more reason to celebrate the spirit within all of us, and this holiday season is a great reminder to count all the blessings in our lives. 

Technology and Tools | Chevrolet Certified Service

Our trained Certified Service Technicians know exactly what your Chevrolet vehicle needs. Trust in the experts at Chevrolet Certified Service today.

Call to schedule an appointment for service at (951) 240-3100

Schedule your service appointment: https://www.paradiseautos.com/ServiceApptForm

See more about our Certified Service and specials at https://www.paradiseautos.com/service

Work Truck Wednesday: Colorado 4x4 Ext Cab! Room, Comfort, Compact Work Package

Here's a great low-cost entry in a light-duty work truck, yet this unit is a real workhorse too! Whether you're a contractor or service provider, this truck can make perfect sense for your needs and your operation. Add a commercial camper shell to hide your gear and have access as you need. Fuel efficient, super comfortable, fun to drive, rides smooth, easy to get in and out of, making the mid-size Colorado is a great choice. 

This unit is also a 4-wheel drive so you can go where the job takes you!

See more about this unit here.

See all of our ready to go to work right now at ParadiseFleet.com

 

2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE 3.0L DURAMAX OFFERS CLASS-LEADING FUEL-EFFICIENCY

 

First-in-segment available turbo-diesel engine brings impressive efficiency, smooth driving experience

DETROIT — The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel is the most fuel-efficient full-size SUV in its class¹. Better fuel efficiency supports longer trips in this best-selling nameplate known for its size, capability and cargo.

The Chevrolet Tahoe with the available 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel engine offers an EPA-estimated 28 highway, 21 city and 24 combined mpg in rear-wheel-drive models. EPA-estimated fuel economy for four-wheel drive models is 26 highway, 20 city and 22 combined mpg.

This is Chevy’s first diesel inline-six engine for full-size SUVs, and the brand’s first diesel offered in full-size SUVs since 1999. In the Suburban, the 3.0L Duramax offers an EPA estimated 27 highway, 21 city and 23 combined mpg in two-wheel drive models and 26 highway, 20 city and 22 combined mpg in four-wheel drive models.

“The 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel brings a refined engine experience to the already impressive redesign of the all-new 2021 Tahoe and Suburban,” said Bob Krapes, Chevrolet Trucks marketing director. “Combining the segment’s best fuel efficiency with increased space inside of the vehicle compared to the previous generation equals an all-new Tahoe and Suburban ready for the next long road trip or family adventure.”

The 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel launched first in the 2020 Silverado, utilizing state-of-the-art technologies to optimize fuel and integrate into the all-new vehicle architecture. Small changes adapt the engine for the full-size SUV application, including enhanced noise abatement and a new engine control module, specifically designed to leverage the faster data-processing power of the all-new models. The engine is exclusively paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission for a smooth shifting experience.

With an SAE-certified 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, the Tahoe 3.0L Duramax with two-wheel drive is capable of maximum towing up to 8,200 pounds and a max payload of 1,717 pounds². The Suburban with the same engine is capable of a maximum towing of 8,000 pounds and a max payload of 1,625 pounds in two-wheel drive models. A standard exhaust brake is available in tow-haul mode and can provide additional driver confidence when towing.

“The 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel brings responsive torque and a smooth driving experience, ideal for those who tow or spend many hours behind the wheel,” said John Barta, assistant chief engineer for the 3.0L Duramax. “Not only is the 3.0L Duramax a refined engine, but the total experience benefits from the efforts to deliver enhanced driving dynamics in Tahoe and Suburban through the independent rear suspension and available Magnetic Ride Control and Four-Corner Air Ride Adaptive Suspension.”

The driver-selectable stop/start technology optimizes fuel economy by shutting off the engine at stoplights and certain other stop-and-go situations, helping to save fuel.

The 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel is available on the LS, LT, RST and Premier trims with an MSRP³ of $995 over the base 5.3L V-8 gas engine. It is also available in the High Country trim as a $1,500 MSRP decrease over the standard 6.2L V-8 gas engine.

The first customer deliveries of the 2021 Tahoe and Suburban with the available 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel are expected to begin before the end of the year.

¹Large SUV
²Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering, carefully review the trailering section of the Owner’s Manual. The weight of passengers, cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow.
³Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. See dealer for details.

GM Defense Delivers First Infantry Squad Vehicle to U.S. Army

MILFORD, Mich. — GM Defense LLC, a subsidiary of General Motors, is celebrating the first delivery of the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) – a light and agile all-terrain troop carrier intended to transport a nine-Soldier infantry squad and their equipment – to the U.S. Army as part of a $214.3 million contract awarded in June. GM Defense will manufacture 649 ISVs and will support the production of up to 2,065 vehicles with additional authorization over eight years. This is the first major award and delivery for GM Defense since the subsidiary was reestablished by its parent company in 2017.

The ISV is based off the award-winning Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 midsize truck architecture and leverages 90 percent proven commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) parts, including Chevrolet Performance race components. The 5,000-pound ISV was uniquely engineered to fulfill military requirements and designed to provide rapid ground mobility. The expeditionary ISV is light enough to be sling loaded from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter and compact enough to fit inside a CH-47 Chinook helicopter for air transportability. The COTS parts, combined with the ISV’s innovative Rollover Protection System, will provide agile transportability on the battlefield to support mission success.

“One hundred and twenty days from contract award to delivery is a significant milestone, and I am very proud of the team for this accomplishment,” said David Albritton, president of GM Defense. “We’re leveraging General Motors’ engineering prowess and immense manufacturing capabilities to bring transformative solutions to the military vehicle market. Our initial success with the ISV shows our commitment to our customer and highlights our unique right to win in the military mobility market.”

“The value we bring to our Army customer is our willingness to listen and adapt,” said Mark Dickens, GM Defense chief engineer. “During Soldier testing, the feedback we received was paramount in delivering a vehicle that met Soldiers’ needs, while maximizing safety and performance and taking their comfort into consideration. The production ISV we’re delivering today is an evolution from our original prototype design, and it’s certainly a vehicle that is a source of pride for the team.”

GM Defense has a teaming agreement with Ricardo Defense, which will lead the Integrated Product Support for the ISV, including technical manual development, new equipment training, provisioning, total package fielding and field service support.

“The success of the ISV program within 120 days is a true testament to the hard work and determination of a great partnership between GM Defense and Ricardo Defense,” said Chet Gryczan, president of Ricardo Defense. “Ricardo Defense is proud to be leading the creation and integration of critical ISV logistics products to ensure a successful transition of the ISV to the Army’s inventory.”

GM Defense is driving the future of military mobility by leveraging the best-in-class capabilities of General Motors for unmatched innovation, proven performance and breakthrough life-cycle economics. The ISV will bring world-class manufacturing efficiencies, ease of maintenance and a well-established global supply chain to the U.S. Army.

Stay tuned for future updates on www.GMDefenseLLC.com.

GM Defense LLC delivers integrated vehicles, power & propulsion, and mobility & autonomy solutions to global defense, security, and government markets. The exceptional reliability of GM Defense’s technologies results from decades of proven performance and billions of dollars spent in independent research and development by its parent, General Motors, a world leader in global design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities.