GM to invest USD7 billion in U.S. plants to build more EVs

U.S. automaker General Motors Co. (GM) said on January 25 that it will invest more than USD7 billion in four manufacturing sites in the U.S. state of Michigan, where the company is headquartered.

“Today, we shared exciting news about how General Motors will add more capacity to build more EVs and more batteries to power them, as we accelerate our transition to an all-electric future,” said Mary Barra, GM chair and CEO, on Linkedin.

This is the single largest investment announcement in GM’ history,creating 4,000 new jobs and retaining 1,000. The investment will also significantly increase GM’s battery cell and electric truck manufacturing capacity. 

“By the end of 2025, GM will have more than one million units of electric vehicle capacity in North America to respond to growing electric vehicle demand,” she said.

The investment includes construction of a new Ultium Cells battery cell plant in Lansing and the conversion of GM’s assembly plant in Orion Township for the production of the Chevrolet Silverado EV and the electric GMC Sierra, GM’s second assembly plant scheduled to build full-size electric pickups.

GM also announced on January 21 that it plans to invest nearly USd154 million in its Western New York Lockport Components plant. The investment will be used to renovate the facility and purchase and install new machinery and equipment used in the production of the stator module, a key component in an electric motor. Electric motors will be used in a variety of GM’s future Ultium Platform-based electric trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs). Facility renovations will begin immediately.

As Lockport Components prepares for electric motor component production, the facility will continue to build a variety of components that support GM’s current truck and SUV production. Lockport Components currently produces radiators, condensers, heater cores, evaporators, HVAC modules, oil coolers and other components used in a variety of GM trucks. 

GM currently estimates Lockport Components will add approximately 230 positions between 2023 and 2026. Actual staffing plans will be finalized closer to the start of production as the facility transitions to support EV motor component production.

“GM’s investment in Lockport Components reaffirms our commitment to manufacturing in Western New York and our confidence in this team. They will build a crucial module in our electric motor assembly for our future electric trucks and SUVs,” said Gerald Johnson, GM executive vice president of Global Manufacturing and Sustainability. “This is an excellent example of how we are bringing our workforce along on the journey to an all-electric future while we scale our EV production capacity and maintain a flow of parts for our current vehicles.”

Lockport Components was founded in 1910 as the Harrison Radiator Company for the purpose of designing, manufacturing, and selling automotive radiators and components. With more than 1,500 employees, the site is focused on continuous improvement through a joint team process between UAW Local 686, Local 55 and plant management.