GM Defense – $36.4M Development Contract for HD Surburbans

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The U.S. Department of State has awarded GM Defense a contract to develop next generation Large Support Utility Commercial Vehicles (SUV). The goal is to start mass production to support of the Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). As part of the total development contract valued at, gulp, $36.4 million, GM Defense will create a purpose-built Heavy-Duty (HD) Suburban, building 10 vehicles over the next two years.

GM says the commercial vehicle architecture designed for full size pickup trucks and large SUVs – already paid for –  will use significant commercial-off-the-shelf parts, including the body, exterior, propulsion, interior and brakes for the government, purpose-built HD Suburban.

The HD Suburban will have a new and unique body-on-frame chassis and suspension, designed to specifically support increased government vehicle performance requirements with a higher payload capacity and greater ground vehicle weight.

GM Defense claimed it will use advanced manufacturing tools and techniques, including fixtureless assembly and flexible fabrication, to support increased efficiencies and quality in low-volume production of the new chassis and frame. The advanced manufacturing techniques will help to reduce overall program costs and offer greater flexibility and responsiveness to address future customer needs.

GM Defense will deliver the vehicles in two phases, the first delivery of which will be next spring. A production contract to build a fleet of 200 HD Suburbans per year for nine years is expected to follow the completion of the development contract in or about May 2023.