General Motors (GM) announces USD1.3 billion investment in five US plants

Investment in US production continues a trend toward localisation.

GM is increasing production of a new 10-speed automatic transmission and V6 engine, as well as raising capacity for an existing six-speed automatic, and yesterday (16 December) announced significant investment to support the production increase. GM says the investment will also save or retain 1,000 jobs. At the Flint Assembly Plant in Flint, Michigan, USD600 million is earmarked for facilities upgrades, including a new paint shop. Romulus Powertrain Operations will build an all-new 10-speed automatic, with a USD343.4-million equipment investment to that end. Romulus will also build the new V6, with a USD150 million investment to increase engine capacity. The Bedford Castings facility gets USD29.2 million to build components for the 10-speed transmission as well as for an existing six-speed unit. The Toledo Transmission Operations facility gets USD30.6 million to increase capacity for the existing six-speed automatic as well as for tooling a new variant.