A Century of Service: General Motors’ Legacy in Military Vehicle Production

General Motors Military Vehicle Production: 100+ Years of Service

General Motors (GM) has been the largest commercial provider of military vehicles in history, producing over 850,000 trucks, 18,000 tanks, and tens of thousands of aircraft for U.S. forces since World War I . Today, GM Defense—reestablished in 2017—continues this legacy with a $1 billion Army contract for 10,000 Infantry Squad Vehicles based on the Chevrolet Colorado, plus partnerships with Lockheed Martin and NASA’s lunar program .

Quick Facts

The 100-Year Legacy: From WWI to the Modern Battlefield

General Motors’ involvement in military vehicle production spans more than a century, beginning with World War I and continuing through every major U.S. conflict.

World War I (1914–1918): The First Call to Arms

When the U.S. entered World War I, GM divisions rallied their manufacturing might to support the war effort. Over 90 percent of GM’s truck production was redirected to military manufacturing <span class=””>.

Key contributions included:

• Cadillac supplied the U.S. Army with 2,300 staff cars, 1,100 artillery tractor V8 engines, and mortar shells

• GMC’s Model 16 was chosen as the standard ¾-ton truck, with over 13,000 delivered—many used as ambulances

• Buick and Cadillac built more than 2,500 12-cylinder Liberty aircraft engines

• Fisher Body’s Aeroplane Division manufactured 1,600 DeHavilland DH-4 planes—the only U.S.-built plane to see combat in WWI 

World War II (1938–1945): The Arsenal of Democracy

World War II marked GM’s most significant military production period. President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed GM President William S. Knudsen to lead the National Defense Program, making him the only civilian ever commissioned as a three-star U.S. Army lieutenant general <span class=””>.

The Scale of Production:

From February 1942 through September 1945, GM converted all 100+ U.S. manufacturing plants to produce defense goods. Not a single passenger car for civilian use left GM assembly lines during this period .

Total WWII Output:

• $12.3 billion in war goods ($240 billion in 2025 dollars) 

• Over 850,000 military trucks from GMC and Chevrolet combined 

• 570,000 of the iconic “Jimmy Deuce-and-a-Half” (CCKW) 2½-ton trucks 

• Over 18,000 tanks and tank destroyers from Fisher Body, including the M4 Sherman and M26 Pershing 

• Thousands of M5 and M24 Chaffee light tanks from Cadillac 

• Over 2,500 M18 Hellcat tank destroyers from Buick 

• 21,000+ amphibious DUKW “Ducks” based on GMC’s six-wheel drive trucks 

• Over 120 million artillery shells 

• Tens of thousands of aircraft including P-51 Mustangs, B-25 Mitchell bombers, and AT-6 training aircraft 

The “Jimmy Deuce-and-a-Half”

The GMC CCKW 2½-ton 6×6 truck—nicknamed the “Jimmy” (from “GM”) and “Deuce-and-a-Half” for its payload capacity—was among the most vital pieces of equipment in the European theater. General Dwight D. Eisenhower listed it as one of five pieces of equipment “most vital to our success in Africa and Europe” in his 1948 book Crusades in Europe .

These trucks proved especially critical in the Red Ball Express—an 83-day operation following D-Day that transported 12,500 tons of supplies daily to Allied forces advancing across France .

The DUKW “Duck”

The amphibious DUKW—capable of carrying 5 tons of equipment or 25 troops—could travel on land and water. Eisenhower also singled this out as “one of the most valuable pieces of equipment produced by the United States during the war” <span class=””>. DUKWs first saw action in the 1943 Sicily invasion and played a crucial role on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day .

Korean War (1950–1953): Next-Generation Mobility

GM continued its support during the Korean War with next-generation vehicles:

• GMC delivered 9,000 M135 6×6 2½-ton trucks—featuring revolutionary Hydra-Matic automatic transmissions 

• Buick manufactured J65 Turbo Jet aircraft engines for the U.S. Air Force

• Oldsmobile produced 8.46 million bazooka shells and 5,431 anti-aircraft guns 

Vietnam War (1955–1975): Firepower and Small Arms

GM’s contributions during the Vietnam era included:

• Hydra-Matic division became the largest producer of the M16 rifle, delivering nearly half a million by the end of the war 

• Production of the M39 A3 20mm cannon for fighter aircraft including the F-100 Super Sabre 

The Space Age and Experimental Vehicles (1959–1971)

GM’s defense division expanded into aerospace and space exploration:

• GM Defense Systems Division formed in 1959, later renamed Defense Research Laboratories 

• GM developed the inertial guidance and navigation system that enabled NASA’s Apollo 11 lunar landing 

• GM built the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) electric drive system, mesh wire wheels, suspension, and drive controls—first used on Apollo 15 in 1971 

The CUCV Era (1980–2003)

GM returned to military vehicle production with the Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle (CUCV) program—its first significant military light-truck offering since WWII:

• 70,000+ CUCVs delivered from 1983 to 1986 

• Four basic variants: pickup, utility, ambulance, and chassis cab

• Many remained in active service through 2000 

• Additional projects included the Commercial Enhanced-Mobility Medium Vehicle (CEMMV) and gas turbine engines for Army helicopters

GM Defense Today: Reestablished for Modern Warfare

What Is GM Defense?

GM Defense is General Motors’ purpose-built defense and government business, reestablished in 2017 . It leverages GM’s commercial investments in advanced mobility, electric vehicle technology, and manufacturing scale to serve military and government customers.

Who It Serves:

• U.S. Army

• U.S. Secret Service

• U.S. State Department

• Allied nations (Canada, Qatar, Brazil) 

Why GM Defense Matters

GM Defense represents a strategic shift for the company, moving beyond traditional automotive manufacturing into higher-margin defense contracting. Defense contracts typically carry 8–12 percent margins compared to single-digit margins in automotive manufacturing .

The company projects $700 million in revenue for 2026 with double-digit profit margins expected in the coming years .

Current Major Programs

Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV)

The ISV is GM Defense’s flagship current program—a light utility vehicle based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 pickup truck .

Program Details:

• Initial contract (2020): $214.3 million to build ISVs for the Army, beating Oshkosh and Polaris 

• Current order: 10,000 vehicles expected to exceed $1 billion 

• Status: Pending federal funding approval 

The ISV can transport nine troops across the battlefield quickly and agilely, fitting within the Army’s need for a Humvee replacement . The National Defense Industrial Association recognized the ISV with the Red Ball Express Award—a fitting tribute to GM’s WWII legacy <span class=””>.

Partnership with Lockheed Martin

In June 2026, GM Defense announced a partnership with Lockheed Martin to expand U.S. defense manufacturing capabilities .

Partnership Focus:

• Improving production readiness and scalable manufacturing

• Strengthening supply chain resilience

• Applying advanced manufacturing and design approaches 

The collaboration—facilitated by the U.S. Department of Defense—will focus on “high-rate manufacturing” to increase speed, scale, and resilience of the U.S. defense industrial base .

What This Means for Veterans and Service Members:

• More robust domestic defense production

• Faster delivery of military vehicles and equipment

• Support for the Pentagon’s $900 billion+ FY2027 budget request for vehicle modernization 

Diplomatic Security and Secret Service Vehicles

GM Defense has a 10-year contract with the U.S. State Department for next-generation heavy-duty armored SUVs to support the Diplomatic Security Service <span class=””>. The company also supplies vehicles to the Secret Service .

NASA and Space Exploration

GM’s legacy in space continues with a $220 million NASA contract to build the next-generation Lunar Terrain Vehicle, supplying battery propulsion technology to Lunar Outpost .

The Future: GM’s Defense Pivot

Strategic Reorientation

Under the Trump administration, GM has pivoted toward defense manufacturing as part of a broader corporate realignment . The strategy aligns with:

• Favorable trade policy protecting domestic truck production

• Rising defense spending for stockpile replenishment

• Washington’s push to quadruple production of “exquisite class” weapon systems 

Economic Impact

GM’s defense business offers a higher profit ceiling than automotive manufacturing. With $187 billion in revenue (FY2025), even a modest shift toward defense could meaningfully improve overall profitability .

Manufacturing Investments

GM is investing $9 billion in capital expenditures and $7 billion in R&D across its business in 2026 . A new $65 million manufacturing facility in Oklahoma—announced July 2026—will support both commercial and defense production .

What Veterans Should Know

Employment and Contracting Opportunities

GM Defense’s expansion creates opportunities for veterans:

• Skilled trades and manufacturing jobs at GM facilities producing military vehicles

• Defense contracting positions with GM and its partners

• Supply chain opportunities for veteran-owned businesses

What to do next:

1. Visit gmdefensellc.com for career opportunities

2. Check USAJOBS.gov for government positions related to military vehicle procurement

3. Register as a veteran-owned small business with the VA’s VetBiz.gov for contracting opportunities

Understanding Service-Related Vehicle Exposure

For veterans who served in roles involving military vehicles:

• Exposure to diesel exhaust, engine noise, and maintenance chemicals may be service-connected

• Document any hearing loss, respiratory issues, or chemical exposures in your service records

• These conditions may qualify for VA disability compensation

Next steps:

• File VA Form 21-526EZ for disability compensation

• Include detail on military vehicle exposure

• Schedule a C&P exam to document conditions

Common Questions

When did GM first start building military vehicles?

GM’s military vehicle production dates back to 1914 during World War I, when divisions like Cadillac and GMC supplied trucks, engines, and the first American armored cars to the U.S. military .

How many trucks did GM produce during WWII?

GMC and Chevrolet combined built over 850,000 military trucks during World War II, including approximately 570,000 of the iconic GMC “Jimmy Deuce-and-a-Half” 2½-ton trucks .

What is the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV)?

The ISV is a light utility vehicle based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 pickup, designed to transport nine troops across the battlefield. GM won the initial production contract in 2020 and is now pursuing a $1 billion order for 10,000 vehicles .

Does GM still make tanks?

GM’s Fisher Body division built over 18,000 tanks and tank destroyers during WWII, including the M4 Sherman and M26 Pershing. Today, GM Defense focuses on light tactical vehicles rather than heavy armor .

What was the DUKW used for?

The DUKW was an amphibious truck used in WWII to transport ammunition and equipment from supply ships to land. GMC built over 21,000 of these “Ducks,” which could carry 5 tons of cargo or 25 troops and saw action on D-Day and in the Pacific theater .

What is GM’s partnership with Lockheed Martin about?

GM and Lockheed Martin announced a partnership in June 2026, facilitated by the Department of Defense, to scale manufacturing, strengthen supply chains, and increase production capacity for munitions and defense products .

Is GM Defense profitable?

GM Defense projects $700 million in revenue for 2026 and expects to achieve double-digit profit margins in the next several years, significantly higher than typical automotive margins .

What military vehicles did Cadillac build?

Cadillac built M5 light tanks (1942–1944), M24 Chaffee light tanks, over 2,300 staff cars for WWI, and artillery tractor V8 engines .

What does GM Defense do today?

GM Defense supplies the U.S. Army with Infantry Squad Vehicles, armored vehicles for the State Department and Secret Service, and partners on NASA’s lunar program. The company leverages GM’s commercial technology and manufacturing expertise for military applications .

Does GM make aircraft for the military?

GM historically built aircraft through its North American Aviation Division, including tens of thousands of P-51 Mustangs and B-25 Mitchell bombers during WWII. GM also built 1,600 DeHavilland DH-4 planes in WWI .

Key Takeaways

• GM has been the largest commercial provider of military vehicles in history, with production spanning over 100 years from WWI to the present 

• During WWII alone, GM produced 850,000+ trucks, 18,000+ tanks, and $12.3 billion in war goods 

• The GMC “Jimmy Deuce-and-a-Half” and amphibious DUKW were singled out by General Eisenhower as among the most vital equipment for Allied victory 

• GM Defense was reestablished in 2017 and now projects $700 million in revenue for 2026 

• Current programs include the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV), armored State Department SUVs, and NASA’s Lunar Terrain Vehicle 

• GM partnered with Lockheed Martin in June 2026 to expand U.S. defense manufacturing capabilities 

• GM’s defense pivot offers higher margins (8–12%) than automotive manufacturing 

• Veterans may qualify for service-connection benefits related to military vehicle exposure, including hearing loss and respiratory conditions

• Employment and contracting opportunities exist for veterans at GM Defense and through its supply chain

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