GM investing $200 million in 2 Michigan plants for new vehicle

General Motors Co. (GM) is investing US$200 million in two plants in Michigan in order to expand vehicle manufacturing in that state.

According to Detroit-based GM, it will investment US$160 million in its assembly plant in Orion Township, northwest of Detroit, and another US$40 million in its metal forming plant in nearby Pontiac, Mich., as it prepares for a future vehicle program.

“Today’s announcement is a shot in the arm for these two terrific plants known for their teamwork and employee engagement,” GM North American manufacturing vice-president Cathy Clegg said in a release. “We’re committed to growing our brands and producing the highest-quality and safest vehicles for our customers.”

The investment in the Orion plant, currently home to the Chevrolet Sonic and Buick Verano, will be used to purchase tooling and equipment, while the investment in the Pontiac plant, which makes components for about 20 GM vehicles, will be used for new dies.

According to GM, the money is part of the nearly US$300 million in Michigan-based investments GM chief executive Mary Barra mentioned in a recent speech to the Detroit Economic Club.

No new jobs will be created by the investment, the automaker said, but this latest investment brings the total investment in the two plants to US$775 million since 2010.