General Motors announced today that it will invest $356 million in a new engine line in Flint and driveline and powertrain components in Saginaw and Grand Rapids.
The investment will create 55 jobs and help retain nearly 500 jobs, the company said. It is part of a $1 billion investment GM has agreed to make in Michigan by 2030 as part of a tax credit agreement with the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA).
GM has invested $9 billion in its Michigan operations since 2009.
Responding to the announcement today, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder said that the state’s agreement with GM acknowledges the value of the area’s skilled work force and “proves the company wants to retain a strong presence in Michigan.”
Today’s announcement includes:
- Flint Engine Operations: $263 million for a future engine program. The investment retains approximately 410 hourly and salaried jobs at the plant.
- Saginaw Metal Casting Operations: $50 million for driveline components. The investment retains 68 jobs.
- Grand Rapids Operations: $43.35 million for powertrain components. The investment creates 55 and retains 15 jobs.
Bill Shaw, manufacturing manager for GM North America, said that the investments will “better position” the company to produce more fuel-efficient and better-performing engines.
Flint Engine produces 3.6-Liter (high feature) V6 VVT engines and 1.4-liter engines for the Buick Enclave, the Cadillac ELR, GMC Acadia and Canyon and seven Chevrolet vehicles.
Saginaw Metal Casting, GM’s largest aluminum casting facility, produces aluminum engine blocks and cylinder heads using three technically advanced aluminum casting processes: green sand, lost foam and precision sand.
The Grand Rapids plant produces automotive engine components including lash adjusters, roller hydraulic valve lifters, cylinder deactivation lifters, continuously variable cam phasers, and metal stampings. It is the original home of the Diesel Equipment Division of General Motors.
Including today’s announcement, GM has committed to $7.1 billion in U.S. plant improvements so far in 2015, including:
- Bedford, Ind.: $127.4 million for engine components
- Bowling Green, Ky.: $44 million for increased engine capacity
- D-Max/Moraine, Ohio: $82 million for productivity improvements
- Defiance, Ohio: $100 million for engine components
