2023 build quality. Mexico vs USA

[Jimbeau]

I just drove the truck for the first time. Purchased!  Good point about a new factory vs established. 

[Jimbeau]

Put 250 miles home from the dealership with the new Silao Sierra. Took the back roads to keep the speed variable for break in purposes. Zero issues.

Appreciate the quick feedback from everyone! 

[Jimbeau]

 

 

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Edited July 23, 2023 by Jimbeau

[2016 Sierra Owner]

My 14 double cab was from IN. My 16 and now 20 crew cabs were built in MX. No issues or differences in any of the trucks. When the 19s first started 3/4 of all crews were made in MX. Now it's a roll of the dice where they come from. I've also seen that you can't choose were it's made either.

[Jimbeau]

I’ve made my purchase but for what it’s worth I am seeing a trend here.
After having the Mexican discussion with my salesman he took a sampling of the lot. And this is a mega GMC lot! He came up an interesting ratio. All of his GMC base Sierra Pro’s, I’m talking black bumper base, came from the Roanoke plant. The higher trims we’re all from Mexico.

I got a Pro but it had a number of extras, V8, X31, AC plugs, fake leather seats, tow package, trailer brakes, chrome bumpers, larger wheels, off-road tires, etc. He thinks (at least for his lot) the higher end 1/2 tons are coming from Mexico at the moment. Maybe GM is using Mexico’s cheaper labor to build the more time consuming trucks. 

[diyer2]

IMO

It's a roll of the dice on the quality of the vehicle you get no matter the company.

[Jimbeau]

I agree. With the inventory stacking up and year end incentives it’s definitely a great time to buy. Had to roll the dice on this one. So glad I was able to wait out the production wave and see invoice slashing once again!

[repairman54]

I would worry more about getting a motor with updated quality checked lifters.

[Gangly]

My 2020 is a Mexico truck and it has been pretty solid.  Over 103k miles on it now and no issues that could be associated with workmanship.

 

Side Note:

I have been in automotive plants in Mexico, and so much of it is automated that people who talk about "quality of work", craftsmanship", etc. are complete and utter nincompoops who know very little for the most part.  So little work is actually done by human hands, and so few decisions made by human minds, that it's quite amazing how little assistance people actually contribute to the car building process.  Most human assisted work is moving things from one bin to another, one table to another, or pushing a button on a controller.

 

2nd Side Note:

I wouldn't hesitate to assume that the Mexico workers are working significantly harder (by choice) than the union American counterparts,  not out of necessity, but out of a desire to keep their job.  In the areas where the auto plants are located, those are generally the best jobs to be had and the workers know this and work VERY hard to keep them.

[Low Elevation]

 My 22 limited Sierra was a US built truck with no issues other than the steering wheel was off center when I got it. Just got a 23 Sierra built in Mexico and the steering wheel is off center again but I’m also getting a rear seat interior rattle that I didn’t have on my 22. 

[BB68]

6 hours ago, Gangly said:

My 2020 is a Mexico truck and it has been pretty solid.  Over 103k miles on it now and no issues that could be associated with workmanship.

 

Side Note:

I have been in automotive plants in Mexico, and so much of it is automated that people who talk about "quality of work", craftsmanship", etc. are complete and utter nincompoops who know very little for the most part.  So little work is actually done by human hands, and so few decisions made by human minds, that it's quite amazing how little assistance people actually contribute to the car building process.  Most human assisted work is moving things from one bin to another, one table to another, or pushing a button on a controller.

 

2nd Side Note:

I wouldn't hesitate to assume that the Mexico workers are working significantly harder (by choice) than the union American counterparts,  not out of necessity, but out of a desire to keep their job.  In the areas where the auto plants are located, those are generally the best jobs to be had and the workers know this and work VERY hard to keep them.

Get out here with that idiotic bs.... the only part of that plant you seen was when you were cleaning the restrooms.

 

I worked with a former plant manager down there... let's just see if your all encompassing knowledge can even fill in his last name .. Trent _________?

[Jimbeau]

42 minutes ago, Low Elevation said:

 My 22 limited Sierra was a US built truck with no issues other than the steering wheel was off center when I got it. Just got a 23 Sierra built in Mexico and the steering wheel is off center again but I’m also getting a rear seat interior rattle that I didn’t have on my 22. 

I read that the Silao factory is actually unionized now and recently voted in a new contract. Good point about automation. I assumed it was a bit more manual than you described. I feel good about the quality after hearing all the positive feedback. 

[Jimbeau]

48 minutes ago, Low Elevation said:

 My 22 limited Sierra was a US built truck with no issues other than the steering wheel was off center when I got it. Just got a 23 Sierra built in Mexico and the steering wheel is off center again but I’m also getting a rear seat interior rattle that I didn’t have on my 22. 

All of which sounds like minor problems. My steering wheel seems on this 2023 is spot on. Haven’t noticed any big issues with the truck so far, but I’ve only had it a couple days.
 

Small stuff:

-A couple of the rubber inserts for holes in the bed walls have fallen out but thats probably from the bed liner being sprayed in. 
- The tailgate cables don’t carry the load evenly when lowered. One of them catches first followed by the other when weight is placed on the tailgate. My Ford is much worse!

- A micro small corner of the seat stitching was missed. Only a stitch or two. Can easily be fixed. 
 

Super happy with the truck already! 

[Gangly]

13 hours ago, BB68 said:

Get out here with that idiotic bs.... the only part of that plant you seen was when you were cleaning the restrooms.

 

I worked with a former plant manager down there... let's just see if your all encompassing knowledge can even fill in his last name .. Trent _________?

BB68.....sad, straight to insults because you got your panties in a twist over words of truth.

 

I've spent months at VARIOUS automobile manufacturing plants, doing claim damage and engineering function assessments.  But by your logic, I should know some random butt-buddy of yours named Trent?  How ignorant, just like your post.

 

But based on your reply, and since you've been to plants too(I'll assume multiple plants though I probably shouldn't), you should be able to tell me the last name of my contacts as well, so lets give it a try...

 

Oliver _______ ?

Francisco _______?

Moises _______?

 

 

Maybe you see the idiocy of your statement by now?  I doubt it.

 

I wonder if you just assume that all other countries are inferior, regardless of the codes, standards, and practices implemented with international manufacturing and distribution?  Are you offended at the idea that someone of a different race or nationality can do work as good as a "good ol' boy" American?  Do you not believe that proprietary technological platforms, regardless of where they are implemented, perform equally well regardless of the latitude and longitude coordinates they are located at?

 

Common sense alone would get you to the point of understanding that nobody is hand welding frames anymore, no body panels are being formed and shaped by hand, and no upholstery is being cut, conditioned, steamed, perforated, dyed, etc. by hand anymore.  

 

Though common sense gets you there, I'm guessing it is your pride that is keeping you from accepting that something in Mexico is built equally as well as something in America, even though it's an American company that designed it and is having it built to their quality standards.  After all, no new designs or technology can be better than a big, bad, American, '68 big block Chevrolet, built right here in the good old U. S. of A., right BB68?  :eyeroll:

Edited July 25, 2023 by Gangly

[KARNUT]

After being in business in Texas over 40 years with access to the labor pool here. I can say without a doubt. If there’s a problem with products south of the border. It’s not the people.