Info: Colorado Production Dates

reliabilityengineer · May 15, 2002

Although GM will produce what's called "saleable vehicles" as pilot jobs in June '03 (50 vehicles) and August '03 (100 vehicles), the real production doesn't start until Sept. '03. They will produce approximately 1300 Colorados in September.

The official full scale production date is October 6, 2003.

I'm not sure how that translates to the vehicles ending up in showrooms, but at least you'll have an idea.

(Yes - I work at the plant...)

reliabilityengineer · May 15, 2002

By the way, Colorados will start out as 2004 production models...

Frank S · May 15, 2002

Thanks for the info.

Nice to hear from an insider on these matters.

Blue Bowtie · May 16, 2002

Very Cool, thanks for the info!

I know all of us would appreciate if you could keep us updated on any inside info that you might know, a lot of us are interested to hear any new news about the Colorado

Brandon

TxDoc · February 26, 2003

First Colorado's ran down the assembly line today in Shreveport. They reported it as a "Gamma" production run. These trucks will be tested and evaluated, not ever sold.

Zane · February 26, 2003

First Colorado's ran down the assembly line today in Shreveport. They reported it as a "Gamma" production run. These trucks will be tested and evaluated, not ever sold.

Shadowfax · February 26, 2003

I live only 200 miles south of Shreveport, if GM needs someon to "Gamma Test" the 4x4's I'll volunteer

I can be there in 2 hours hehehe.

TxDoc · March 1, 2003

Local news showed the trucks on the assembly line and off. Looks much better than the pictures from the magazines showed.

They said this is, I think, only the second such plant that assembles the truck in its entirety.

The trucks look much better on the news video than the pics from the magazines.

They also said it is only the second plant to assmemble a truck entirely on one site.

TEST MODEL ROLLS OFF GM ASSEMBLY LINE

posted: 02-27-2003

The first test model of the Chevy Colorado pickup rolled off the assembly line at General Motors' Shreveport's assembly plant today.

Plant workers and managers cheered the new truck, which along with 11 other test models will be used for marketing, scrutinized for workmanship, sent to test tracks, checked for durability handling and crash-tested. All are part of the review process as the plant gets ready to begin full production later this year of the Colorado and its GMC companion, the Canyon.

"I'm so excited that I'm quite certain it's going to be my next truck purchase," said plant worker David Burroughs.

Hundreds of other jobs are tied to the GM plant in the form of suppliers. At one, NYX, workers will produce enough parts for 4,800 new trucks per week, with different parts per vehicle.

The Colorado and Canyon replace Chevy S-10s and GMC Sonoma pickups that have been built in Shreveport. •

February 27, 2003, Shreveport

GM Unveils Shreveport-Made Colorado

There's good news in the Ark La Tex. A new truck line is revitalizing the Shreveport General Motors plant. It's a new concept here...building the truck from start to finish. And Thursday we got our first look at the 'test' trucks. Good bye S-10...hello Colorado. But body styles aren't the only thing changing at Shreveport's General Motors plant. Grady Martin, 22 Year Employee: "We're changing the whole way a truck's built the way the people are incorporated into the building of the truck the ideas flow into the vehicle rather than just an add on addition." Shreveport is about to become only the second GM plant in America to build the vehicle from start to finish, in house. It was an easy choice for the company to pick this plant for the transition. David Gibbons, Plant Manager: "The people and the plant deserve and have earned the right to produce this product beyond that I think that the business case was a good business case to have trucks produced in the heart of truck country." And this new top to bottom approach is on track to bring more pride back into the product. It's already working for those who've been involved in the two year process of building the new plant and churning out this truck. Grady Martin: "Get you more involved and the process of the vehicle and make you feel more like you're proud of what you're doing." Scott Canyon, : "Over the course of two years you start realizing you had a say in building this product you just didn't come to work and put bolts and screws together." Along with the Chevy Colorado...the GMC Canyon will be built here. A similar body with a few detail changes. The plant is expected to be up and totally running..cranking out a thousand trucks a day...this fall. Employees from the current GM plant will be switched to the new building, with some taking on different jobs.

the truck is offered in three suspension packages as well as three cab styles.

The Shreveport plant produces almost 1,000 of these trucks each day.

You will be able to catch the Colorado on the market in spring of 2004. The price of the truck has not been decided yet.

Chevy hopes to sell 170-thousand Colorado`s in the

1st year of being on the market.

Ozrein · March 7, 2003

Hey if you work at the plant, can you swindle us a deal with a Colorado and oh let's see a 6.0L V8, just say you're making a special order for one of the exec's. lol Ya I'm liking the Colorado alot, the ONLY thing keeping me from trading my '99 S10 in on one is the biggest engine they come with is only the I-5. Not to knock the I-5, I'm sure it'll be a great engine (hopefully), it seems relatively powerful (more hp than my 4.3 (less torque though)) but dam man, this thing is the same size as a Dakota and they have TWO V8's to choose from. Put a V8 in the thing and I'll be down at the dealer ordering one up.

HuJass · March 8, 2003

Ozrein,

Actually, the Colorado is just a smidge bigger than the current S-10. I don't know why they call it a mid-size truck. I don't think it's anywhere near the size of a Dakota

Reliabilityengineer (or anyone else who might know),

Any idea when the special ordering of the Colorado will be opened up at the dealers? My Sonoma was totalled and am eagerly awaiting the day I can order my new regular cab, ZQ8 Colorado, with I5, man trans, and posi in white.