(April 1, 2011) FORT WAYNE, Ind. — After 5,499,999 trucks coming off the line at General Motors’ Fort Wayne Assembly Plant in a quarter century, the plant made a big deal of the next one — and Mike McPherson was on hand for every step of the process.

McPherson, owner of Mt. Carmel Stabilization in Mt. Carmel, Ill, watched step by step on Thursday as his white Chevrolet Silverado Extended Cab became truck No. 5.5 million.

Mike McPherson of Mt. Carmel, Ill., installs the plate
bearing the Vehicle Identification Number of his new
Chevrolet Silverado Extended Cab

McPherson; Jim Wilderman, owner of Patriot GM Superstore in Princeton, Ind.., and Marsha Bosecker, the store’s Internet sales manager, arrived at the plant about 8 a.m.,  just as the truck began its journey through General Assembly. At each stop along the way, United Auto Workers team members explained their operation and offered the guests some hands-on assembly experience.

About 2:45 p.m., the Silverado had been driven off the final line, through a celebratory banner, and passed all quality inspections. Commemorative photographs were taken and McPherson drove home.

Fort Wayne builds the full-size Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks. The first vehicle was built at the plant on Dec. 8, 1986.