GM builds half-a-billion vehicles in 106 years

General Motors has driven past the 500 million or half-a-billion production landmark, 106 years since it was set up in 1908.

Globally, more than 500 million General Motors-branded vehicles have been built – the most of any automaker by far – and the company is putting its customers at the centre of the accomplishment. 

GM CEO Mary Barra and GM North America and Global Chevrolet president Alan Batey celebrated the milestone Monday (May 4) with customers, employees and dealers at the Fairfax (Kansas) Assembly plant, and surprised Iraqi war veteran Trent Brining with a ‘key’ to a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. Production of the midsize sedan begins at the plant later this year.

“During 2015, we expect to sell more than 1,000 new vehicles per hour, 24 hours per day,” said Barra. “This adds up to nearly 10 million vehicles, the most in our history. I look at this extraordinary volume as 10 million opportunities to prove what kind of company we are and to say thank you.”

Batey announced GM will invest $174 million (Rs 1,099 crore) in the Fairfax plant for new equipment and technology to support production of the 2016 Malibu and improve customer satisfaction. One enhancement – a ‘Shake and Rattle’ booth – simulates any road condition a customer might experience – and identifies sources of noise so they can be fixed.

“Every element of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu was designed to give our customers a beautiful and high-quality sedan with technologies that will make their lives easier and safer,” said Batey. “It will all come together here at Fairfax, and the men and women who work here can hardly wait to get started.”

Last week, GM announced it will invest $5.4 billion (Rs 34,111 crore) over three years to build the next generations of future vehicles in the US, including $783.5 million in three facilities in the state of Michigan and the $174 million announced on May 4.