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GM expanding Lansing Lambda CUV plant

Considering that crossovers are a rapidly growing portion of the US auto market, it's not surprising to hear that General Motors is preparing to build even more of them. The company is investing $63 million to expand its Lansing Delta Township Assembly plant that builds Lambda platform CUVs like the Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave.
According to GM, the expansion will add roughly 263,000 extra square feet of space to the plant. Of that, 181,000 square feet will be for an updated body shop with cutting-edge robots. There will also be 54,000 square feet of additional room in the paint shop and 28,000 square feet of more area for general assembly.
GM isn't saying as much, but there is the possibility that this extra space could allow for additional models produced at the factory. Cadillac reportedly dropped plans to build a three-row SUV on the Lambda platform earlier this year, however, dealers for the luxury brand were recently pitched the possibility of adding large and small CUVs, an ATS convertible or a sedan below the ATS.

2020 GMC Sierra Heavy Duty teased, and you better believe there's a huge grille

Chevrolet has shown us a few photos of its redesigned Silverado Heavy Duty, and today we score our first teaser of the GMC Sierra version of this truck. The most controversial feature of the Silverado HD has to be its massive grille, and the Sierra appears to be no different. Just from this photo of the face, we can already tell it's going to be as bold, some might say gaudy, as the Chevy. We'll have to wait awhile to see it all, though, as GM says the Sierra HD will be making its debut in the second half of 2019. It's no Supra teaser campaign, but this one is already starting out pretty early for a work pickup truck. As far as features and technical details go, mum is the word for now. However, we can assume the Sierra will be nearly identical with the Silverado HD powertrain-wise. We know two engines will be offered on that truck, one being a gasoline V8 and the other a Duramax turbodiesel V8 — the former will be mated to a six-speed automatic, while the latter gets the 10-speed auto. Even though it isn't out yet, the torque figure is already less than the Ram and Ford heavy duty trucks at 910 pound-feet from the diesel. The Ram Heavy Duty just revealed at the Detroit Auto Show scores a whopping 1,000 pound-feet of twist in the torque department. We'll know more about the Sierra HD when the Silverado HD presumably gets revealed with full details at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show at the beginning of February. One thing's for sure: If you want chrome and lots of it, you're gonna get it with the 2020 GMC Sierra HD. 2020 Chevy Silverado HD View 5 Photos Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

GM readying aluminum-body fullsize pickups

Ford's extensive use of aluminum in its 2015 F-150 is a big deal. A really big deal. Big enough, in fact, that General Motors is reportedly changing its fullsize pickup strategy. According to The Wall Street Journal, The General has locked in partnerships with Alcoa Inc. and Novelis Inc. - companies that will supply aluminum for the next-generation Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks.
"Ford's introduction of the 2015 F-150 pickup truck was a game changer, and it's the first, not the last, conversion of this type," Novelis spokesperson Charles Belbin told the Journal. The switch to aluminum has allowed Ford to shave roughly 700 pounds off its fullsize truck's curb weight. And while official mileage ratings have not been announced, the weight loss should go a long way for improving efficiency, especially when combined other efficiency-minded improvements including better aerodynamics and new, turbocharged V6 engines.
Of course, aluminum-bodied cars are nothing new. But extensive use of aluminum in a major, best-selling product like the Ford F-150 is expected to kick off widespread use of this weight-saving material as availability rises and cost decreases. The WSJ reports that GM had originally explored the idea of moving to aluminum pickups back in 2008, but abandoned the idea due to cost concerns amid economic woes.