What did Chevy make during WWII?
Chevrolet, the GM marque commonly known as Chevy, shifted its manufacturing to support the U.S. war effort, producing armored vehicles and transport equipment, most notably the M4 Sherman tanks and a large fleet of military trucks.
As the United States mobilized, General Motors and its brands, including Chevrolet, converted auto plants into defense facilities under the War Production Board. The company’s output spanned heavy armor, logistics vehicles, and supply chain infrastructure for Allied forces in Europe and the Pacific.
Tank production
Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant and the M4 Sherman
One of GM’s flagship wartime productions was the M4 Sherman tank, built at the Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant in Detroit, Michigan, through a collaboration between GM's factories and the U.S. Army. The M4 Sherman and its variants supplied U.S. and Allied armored units in multiple campaigns.
- M4 Sherman tanks and variants produced at the Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant (GM/Fisher Body division).
These tanks formed a backbone of Allied armored warfare and represented a major retooling achievement for the U.S. auto industry.
Trucks and logistical vehicles
Chevrolet and GM truck production
Chevrolet, in tandem with GM’s other truck divisions, produced a substantial number of military trucks and cargo carriers used to move troops, equipment, and supplies across theaters of operation.
- 1.5- and 2.5-ton trucks and related cargo vehicles supplied to the U.S. Army and Allied forces.
Truck production was essential to sustaining long campaigns across Europe and the Pacific, enabling logistics and support operations.
Other notes
Broader defense manufacturing at GM
Beyond tanks and trucks, GM’s wartime network supplied a range of defense contracts, retooling plants and manufacturing lines to support broader war needs, including production of components, assemblies, and systems for military use.
In summary, Chevy’s contribution to WWII reflected a broader national effort: repurposing automobile factories to deliver armored warfare and logistical equipment that underpinned Allied operations in multiple theaters.
Summary
Chevrolet helped propel the Allied war effort by producing M4 Sherman tanks at the Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant and by manufacturing large volumes of military trucks, within General Motors’ extensive wartime production program.
What did U.S. car companies produce during WWII?
During WWII, US car companies ceased civilian production and shifted to manufacturing a vast array of military equipment, including airplanes, tanks, trucks, jeeps, and ammunition. Automakers produced items like the M4 Sherman tank, B-24 Liberator bomber, and the military jeep, and also supplied components like engines for PT boats and anti-aircraft guns.
Key wartime products
- Aircraft: The industry produced thousands of aircraft, with Ford building B-24 bombers and Pontiac's Eastern Aircraft Division manufacturing torpedo bombers and fighters.
- Tanks: Carmakers were major producers of tanks, including the M4 Sherman, and specific divisions like GM's Cadillac built their own tanks.
- Military Vehicles: Besides tanks, the industry produced hundreds of thousands of military trucks, jeeps, and other transport vehicles.
- Ammunition and Guns: Companies manufactured ammunition and components for artillery, such as 90mm anti-aircraft guns.
- Engines: Many companies focused on producing aircraft and naval engines, such as the engines for PT boats built by Packard.
- Other Equipment: The output also included a wide range of other equipment, from steel helmets to navigation and guidance systems for missiles, like the nose section of the B-29 bomber built by Chrysler.
The production shift
- Cessation of civilian production: All civilian vehicle production was halted in early 1942.
- Conversion of factories: Factories were re-tooled, often overnight, to accommodate the new, large-scale military manufacturing.
- Government contracts: The shift was driven by massive government contracts and the demand for materiel to support the war effort.
What guns did GM make in WWII?
General Motors Saginaw Steering Gear Plant 2, nicknamed the Gun Plant, was a major manufacturer for the United States war machine during WWII. M1919A4 machine guns and M1 Carbines were produced in great numbers and in excellent quality in the Gun Plant.
What did GM do during WWII?
GM began delivering war materiel as early as 1940 with all U.S. manufacturing plants – over 100 in total – eventually being converted to produce defense goods. Between February 10, 1942 and September 9, 1945, not a single passenger car for civilian use left the assembly line at any GM plant.
What did Chevrolet build during World War II?
Chevy built many different cars and trucks for the U.S. Army, including (but not limited to) fire trucks, light-armor half-trucks, and 1.5-ton trucks. They also built nearly 4,000 Staghound Medium armored cars for the British army. Some of them came equipped with cannons and others came with machine guns.
