Felix Reimundo
April 3, 2009
Hello again, this is Felix Reimundo writing this time about our visit today to the General Motors Plant in Silao, Mexico. We first got a brief video on their safety rules and regulations; the only phrase they emphasized was “safety is our riding priority.” It felt as we were in a small a small city with walking lanes and street signs. If we came up on an intersection at the same time as fork lift or other vehicle, we both had to stop make eye contact and then wait for the driver to give us “the wave” or signal to let us cross.
Next, we went upstairs where all the managers, supervisors and engineers work. Then we were escorted to the conference room where we were presented with a PowerPoint of the property, what kind of cars they built and where every part was built or painted. The facility is approximately 4 million square feet. The entire complex including parking areas is approximately 10 million square feet.
We were then escorted to the General Assembly part of the building. This had to be the most incredible thing I have ever seen in my life. The technology and robots were amazing to watch. And the timing that the workers had with the assembly was something that still has me in awe. At this plant they made four different types of trucks. Two really intrigued me; they were the Chevrolet Avalanche and the Cadillac Escalade. I saw both these cars being assembled, one behind the other, as if there was no difference in which company tag was on them. They were painted with the same paint, screwed with the same screws, and assembled by the same people. The only real difference between them is that Escalade was just a little fancier. But they had the same chassis, motor, muffler, transmission, and the same plastic coverings. So I learned something real important; when you buy a Cadillac, you’re buying the name; nothing more or less than a Chevrolet.
Well that’s all I have for you today, hope you missed us all and see you all soon.
April 3, 2009
Hello again, this is Felix Reimundo writing this time about our visit today to the General Motors Plant in Silao, Mexico. We first got a brief video on their safety rules and regulations; the only phrase they emphasized was “safety is our riding priority.” It felt as we were in a small a small city with walking lanes and street signs. If we came up on an intersection at the same time as fork lift or other vehicle, we both had to stop make eye contact and then wait for the driver to give us “the wave” or signal to let us cross.
Next, we went upstairs where all the managers, supervisors and engineers work. Then we were escorted to the conference room where we were presented with a PowerPoint of the property, what kind of cars they built and where every part was built or painted. The facility is approximately 4 million square feet. The entire complex including parking areas is approximately 10 million square feet.
We were then escorted to the General Assembly part of the building. This had to be the most incredible thing I have ever seen in my life. The technology and robots were amazing to watch. And the timing that the workers had with the assembly was something that still has me in awe. At this plant they made four different types of trucks. Two really intrigued me; they were the Chevrolet Avalanche and the Cadillac Escalade. I saw both these cars being assembled, one behind the other, as if there was no difference in which company tag was on them. They were painted with the same paint, screwed with the same screws, and assembled by the same people. The only real difference between them is that Escalade was just a little fancier. But they had the same chassis, motor, muffler, transmission, and the same plastic coverings. So I learned something real important; when you buy a Cadillac, you’re buying the name; nothing more or less than a Chevrolet.
Well that’s all I have for you today, hope you missed us all and see you all soon.
