In sync with its 230mpg rating, General Motors announced on Wednesday that it will spend $230 million on four plants around the Flint, Michigan area to support production of the upcoming Chevrolet Volt plug-in vehicle. The funds will also be used to help build the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze , a platform mate of the Volt.
GM will spread the funds between four factories in the Flint area — Flint Engine South, Flint Metal Center, Flint Tool and Die and Grand Blanc Weld Tool Center. The move is expected to bring about 500 GM employees back to work.
“These four GM manufacturing plants have a key role in GM’s production of the next generation of fuel-efficient vehicles, the Chevrolet Volt and Cruze,” said Larry Zahner, GM manufacturing manager. “The men and women at these plants are working hard to exceed their quality and cost objectives while maintaining a relentless focus on safety and improved efficiency.”
The Flint factories will support the Volt’s production at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck plant and the Cruze’s production at the company’s Lordstown, Ohio facility. The biggest chunk of the investment — $202 million – will be used to ready Flint Engine South to produce the 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder to be used in the Volt and Cruze. GM says the plant will have the capacity to produce 800 engines per day, although early production will be capped at 40 units per day.
All four factories are expected to be running at full steam by fall 2011.
