GM Bets Big on Batteries
DETROIT—During this year’s Super Bowl, General Motors ran a teaser ad promoting its upcoming electric-powered Hummer. When it debuts late next year, the GMC-branded vehicle will serve as the “foundation” of GM’s all-electric future.
The automaker recently announced that it will invest more than $2 billion in its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant to produce a variety of electric vehicles, including pickup trucks and SUVs. And, as part of a joint venture with LG Chem, GM is investing more than $900 million to build a battery cell manufacturing facility in Lordstown, OH, that will supply its Detroit assembly plant.
A few months ago, the 35-year-old Detroit-Hamtramck factory was on the verge of being shut down. But, it has now been resurrected and will soon become GM’s first fully dedicated electric vehicle assembly plant. The body shop, paint shop and general assembly area will receive comprehensive upgrades, including new machines, conveyors, controls and tooling.
“Through this investment, [we are] taking a big step forward in making our vision of an all-electric future a reality,” says Mark Reuss, president of GM. “Our electric pickup will be the first of multiple electric truck variants we will build at Detroit-Hamtramck over the next few years.”
GM also plans to produce the Cruise Origin autonomous vehicle at the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant.
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