Can someone explain?

[15 Z71]

So just read an article on US Newsweek comparing the silverado vs the Sierra. The one thing I did not understand is how the silverado got a 4.5 stars on reliability and the Sierra got 3.5 stars on reliability. Now how can this be if they are the same truck just cosmetic differences? 

[Coby7]

Some are built in Mexico and some are built in the US or Canada.  Number 3 in front of a VIN is always worrisome to me.

[Sour_Squirrel]

What does the "3" mean in the VIN ?

[dmorrisL86]

7 minutes ago, Sour_Squirrel said:

What does the "3" mean in the VIN ?

The First digit in the VIN is the country of origin. 3 is Mexico. 1 is United States. If you have a crew cab 1/2 ton, your truck was most likely built in Mexico and is sporting the 3 at the front of the VIN

[elchilero53]

Mine was built in Mexico.  It has a 3 as the first character on the VIN.  Of course, it helps that it says so on the door sticker.

 

I'm disappointed but so far the truck has performed beautifully after 7200 miles.  

[Sour_Squirrel]

Mine also starts with 3. 

No problems so far after 7 months and 8,000 miles. 

[x219c]

So just read an article on US Newsweek comparing the silverado vs the Sierra. The one thing I did not understand is how the silverado got a 4.5 stars on reliability and the Sierra got 3.5 stars on reliability. Now how can this be if they are the same truck just cosmetic differences? 

That’s a great question. Sounds like their review may be based on the marketing materials or a Sierra only forum. Wonder if they’ve ever sat in both.


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[redwngr]

They're likely going on customer complaint records in response to survey or complaints to some agency.

 

1) They may not have accurate information about the number of trucks built as GMC vs built as chev, so complaint percentages may not be accurate.

2) Maybe GMC owners whine more.

3) There may be more chevs in fleet hands that would therefore not be involved in any survey and not likely to complain to a consumer agency.  Big fleets likely can take any issues directly to GM.

4) etc, etc,

[Nanotech Environmental]

Maybe, like much of what's in the 'news' today, the article was just a fabrication.........

[15 Z71]

I guess i was looking at it if both trucks are built in same place with same parts why such a difference. Not weather one is built in Mexico or U.S. everyone says they are the same trucks just cosmetic.

[Donstar]

11 hours ago, Coby7 said:

Some are built in Mexico and some are built in the US or Canada.  Number 3 in front of a VIN is always worrisome to me.

There may be some political/economic challenges with the VIN starting in 1.2 or 3 but not quality.  The components, assembly equipment and quality standards would not differ in various plants assembling the same model.

[redwngr]

1 hour ago, 15 Z71 said:

I guess i was looking at it if both trucks are built in same place with same parts why such a difference. Not weather one is built in Mexico or U.S. everyone says they are the same trucks just cosmetic.

All the things that make them trucks are the same. 

 

Trims and styling is what makes them different. 

 

Spent many years in auto parts (stamping/welding/forging) manufacturing companies (much/most of it supplying GM), and never came across a situation where quality level was different for a different division. Items were same part number and when the parts were being produced, there was no way to know which brand the part would end up in.  

 

 

 

 

[diyer2]

With the internet there is so much data available today that IMO you have to take it with a grain of salt. The only true answer about any product is to own it yourself and make your own opinion.

[Penguin VII]

Honestly, and this is super naive, I hadn't realized that any of these trucks were manufactured outside the US. I had originally thought that the truck is such a universally American thing, and they make so much on them anyway, that they were manufactured exclusively here. Wasn't till after the fact that I realized I've got a made in Mexico truck.

 

Now whatever, I'm not some ultra racist dude or anything, but Mexico doesn't really have a strong reputation for quality. Maybe not as bad as China but not great. Kind of surprising that all of Toyotas trucks are made here buy GMs aren't. Personally I'm all for the local guy, so I try and buy American whenever possible and feasible.

 

That all said I don't think there is a drastic difference. Most of this stuff seems pretty easily bolted together and they are using parts from the same group of suppliers so it should be pretty close to a 1:1.

[Colossus]

There is no quality difference.  The same machines in mexico and the USA assemble the same components and the workers receive the same training and scrutiny and quality control.