General Motors is to invest $129 million in powertrain plants in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan as part of a $2 billion investment program in 17 facilities in eight states over the next 18 months.
For the plants in Toledo, Ohio, and Bedford, Indiana, which make transmissions for Buick and Chevrolet models with eAssist fuel-saving technology, this is a second helping of investment since May, bringing total investment at the plants to $287 million and $81 million respectively.
"GM continually assesses its product offerings and makes adjustments to meet consumer demand," said Cathy Clegg, GM vice president of labor relations. "GM is moving quickly to get more fuel-efficient technologies into our vehicles to benefit the consumer, and these investments are an example of the speed with which we are responding."
Toledo, which earlier was targeted for a $204 million investment, will get an additional $83 million for enhancements to a six-speed transmission already produced in the plant that will be used in the Buick Lacrosse beginning this fall and the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu debuting early next year.
Bedford, which earlier was named for a $49 million investment, is receiving $32 million for enhancements to the die-cast case and torque converter on the six-speed transmission assembled in Toledo.
Separately, an investment of $15 million to $20 million is planned at the GM Components Holding plant in Wyoming, Michigan. The investment will support various powertrain projects.
