Following a US$75m funding injection in its Toledo, Ohio, transmission plant, General Motors has announced it is to invest a further US$100m in two of its manufacturing facilities – US$93m at the Romulus, Michigan, propulsion plant and US$7m at its Bedford, Indiana, casting operations.
The manufacturer says the Romulus investment will add machining capability, while the Bedford investment will increase the plant’s die-casting capabilities. Both investments will support increased production of GM’s 10-speed automatic transmissions used in the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty, full-size pickups. Work will begin immediately at both locations.
“Demand for our Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickups continues to be very strong and we are taking action to increase the availability of our trucks for our dealers and customers,” said Phil Kienle, GM vice president, North America Manufacturing and Labor Relations. “We appreciate the commitment and hard work our teams display every day at work in Romulus and Bedford, and these investments reflect the importance of their efforts.”
Romulus currently builds V-6 engines and 10-speed transmissions used in a variety of Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles. The plant originally opened in the 1970s as part of GM Detroit Diesel Allison Division making diesel engines and components. The plant began to produce engines in the 1980s, and through the years, has produced over 10.8 million V-8 engines and over 6.6 million V-6 engines. Hourly employees are represented by UAW Local 163.
Meanwhile, the Bedford Casting Operations is located in south central Indiana in the heart of limestone country. The plant is one of the world’s leading aluminum die-casting facilities and produces transmission casings, converter housings, heads and small gas engine blocks that are used in Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles.