General Motors is spending US$109m in its operations in Flint and Bay City, Michigan, to support engine production for current and future fuel-efficient small cars produced for the US market. The investment will protect or add 96 jobs at the two sites, the automaker said.
“This investment marks the second major increase in engine and engine component output in less than six months – a sign that GM is moving quickly to meet growing demand for more fuel-efficient cars,” said Terri Burden, Flint Engine Operations plant manager.
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In November 2010, the automaker announced plans to invest $151m and protect 143 jobs at the Flint and Bay City plants. The latest investment is part of a $2bn investment to create or retain more than 4,000 hourly and salaried jobs at 17 facilities in eight states.
Of the $109m, $84m will be used at Flint to increase 1.4-litre Ecotec engine capacity. Bay City’s investment of $25m is for connecting rods and camshafts used in the engine.
The engine is used in turbocharged form in the Chevrolet Cruze Eco model and a naturally aspirated version in the Volt.
It will also soon be used in the Chevrolet Sonic, which will be built at GM’s assembly plant in Orion Township, Michigan, replacing the current Aveo imported from GM Korea.
