production time question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,373
Likes: 321
From: Clarksville TN
production time question
A friend of mine was curious as to how long it takes to build a Vette as compared to something like an Accord or Taurus. I'm sure they told me when I took the plant tour, but that was years ago and way beyond the limits of my memory!
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 13,733
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From: Hurst, TX USA
That's a good question. I think it take 2 days on the line at BG, but that doesn't consider how long it takes to get all the parts that are done outside BG like engine etc. I'd like to see how many total man hours are put into each car, from pouring the engine block, or whatever is the first thing done to get it started, thru final assembly.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 13,733
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From: Hurst, TX USA
Originally Posted by Markss
I am sure that the General knows the answer to that question, but I doubt that they would share that info with their customers or competitiors.
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Night Race Blue 427
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Muncie, Indiana ...... Can I buy an amplifier on time ... I ani't got no money now but I'll pay you before I die
If I remember right and you include everything not just when it's on the line a little over 5 days.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,695
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From: Sedalia Missouri
Originally Posted by tommy1727
I do know they recently turned up the line speed (much to the chagrin of the line workers) from approximately 23 to 26 units an hour!
Thats not nice on GM's part. Could also change quality of the build somewhat.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 577
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From: Orlando Fl.
Indeed and the guys and gals on the line don't like it one bit. You wouldn't think a couple of cars an hour would make a big difference in work load but it does! I was at the plant in October and I did get the impression that most of the folks are extremely proud of the product and their part in it, so at least for them quaility is important!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Granby CT
Seem to remember from my plant tour that the car is on the line like a work day and a half so 18 hours may be a little long but around correct. From what I saw at most of the stations the workers really weren't working too fast and had plenty of time to come and talk and go for breaks. Some stations (putting seats in, for instance) things seemed to be pretty hastled so I wonder how they manage those at a faster pace.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,874
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From: Rochester Hills Michigan
You really have to look at the build hours as man/hours to get a total picture of how long it takes to build the car. The average GM car (not that ours are average but) takes between 40 and 50 man/hours at the assembly plant. This obviously doesn't not count the endless hours at other GM plants or suppliers that goes into the total build time for the car.
Anytime there is an increase or decrease in line speed the plants will do a realignment of the work called line balancing. This redistributes the work load of each worker and either adds or reduces people to meet the new line speed.
Anytime there is an increase or decrease in line speed the plants will do a realignment of the work called line balancing. This redistributes the work load of each worker and either adds or reduces people to meet the new line speed.