GM eyes Shreveport plant for new truck product

[f5fstop]

I wonder what truck they would want to build??????

SHREVEPORT TIMES
By Melody Brumble
December 5, 2006

General Motors is considering investing $70 million in its Shreveport plant to produce a new vehicle. The auto manufacturer is asking local authorities to eliminate sales and use taxes on purchases of manufacturing equipment effective Jan. 1.

Caddo commissioners approved the tax forgiveness in November. Parish School Board members will hear a presentation about the request today.


Pam Reese, a GM corporate spokeswoman, said the company is weighing whether to build "a new truck product" in Shreveport but declined to provide details.

A decision will be made "in the near future," Reese said.

In late 2005, the company announced it would invest $20 million to increase the number of Hummer H3 sport utility vehicles, Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon trucks produced here.

Production of a new truck could save up to 300 jobs. The Shreveport plant's work force will decline by up to 900 jobs as General Motors downsizes operations throughout the country, a move announced in 2005.

Caddo Commissioner Woodrow Wilson said the request to eliminate sales and use taxes on new manufacturing equipment is part of a statewide initiative.

"They have the same proposal before the Legislature in the special session," Wilson said. "Other states have done it. We're just kind of getting in line with what other states are doing.

"The parish looks at trying to foster economic development. But we're aware that economic sustainability for existing businesses is also important."

[BlueHUMMERH2]

[NEOCON1]

could it be our next sibling

[Agriv8r]

[BlueHUMMERH2]

So I what kind of a timeline would this establish for the SUT (assuming that's what we're talking about)? I guess a release this summer is out.

[PARAGON]

Originally Posted by BlueHUMMERH2

So I what kind of a timeline would this establish for the SUT (assuming that's what we're talking about)? I guess a release this summer is out.

pay attention Romeo,

The next vehicle out is not a SUT. It's a truck. Besides, there would not need to be an addition just to do a SUT.

With only $70M, they are not talking about the H4 and must be talking about adding a portion of the plant to add tooling to handle the longer wheelbased H3 Pickup.

[f5fstop]

Adding to the debate:

http://www.hummerguy.net:80/hummer-n...-in-shreveport

[h2co-pilot]

Hummer sport utility truck could be headed for Shreveport plant
6 hours ago.



"That one's been green-lighted. That's going to happen. It should start up for the 2009 model year, which is the 2008 calendar year," said Erich Merkle, forecasting director with IRN Inc., an automotive industry information company in Grand Rapids, Mich.

The plant also produces Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups, as well as a relative handful of I-pickups for Isuzu.

A GM spokeswoman said Monday that the company is considering investing $73 million in the plant to produce a new product, a move that could save up to 366 jobs. The plant was expected to lose 974 workers as GM offers buyouts and early retirements to hour employees in an effort to trim its workforce. An estimated 35,000 GM employees nationwide are expected to accept the... // Shreveport Times

[f5fstop]

[PARAGON]

There's that damn IRN again. I wonder how much they get paid to provide misinformation or information that only partially correct.

[HummBebe]

I still want those tires....