General Motors to move Chevy Volt electric drive production to Michigan

Detroit, Michigan – General Motors Co. CEO Mary Barra has announced that the company’s Warren Transmission Plant will build the electric drive unit for the second-generation Chevrolet Volt. The units had been built in Mexico.

That means most major Volt powertrain components – from its battery cells to its range-extender – will be made in Michigan, establishing the state as the company’s global engineering center of excellence for vehicle electrification.

Barra also announced capital investments of nearly $300 million in Michigan between now and the end of the year. Details will be announced later.

“We must provide the breakthrough technology that our customers want,” said Barra. “Our investments in the Chevy Volt and Michigan signify our commitment to lead the industry in technology and innovation.”

Since 2009, GM has announced more than $11 billion in investments in the United States, with almost half of that investment committed to Michigan.

In addition, GM has worked with its UAW partners to develop initiatives that will lead to more than 22,600 jobs in the United States. This hiring has begun and will continue over the next few years, and many of these jobs will be based in Michigan.

Approximately $1.82 billion in capital has been invested in projects dedicated specifically to vehicle electrification:

• GM’s Brownstown Township facility is the country’s first high-volume lithium-ion battery pack manufacturing site operated by a major automaker.
• The Chevrolet Volt and Cadillac ELR are assembled at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant.
• GM’s Flint Engine Operations will build the 1.5-liter, four-cylinder range extender for the Volt. The unit is part of an all-new engine family.
• Warren Transmission will build the GM Voltec Multi-Mode Electric Drive Unit, which allows the Volt to drive in pure electric or extended range electric mode.
• Battery cells for the Volt and ELR are produced by LG Chem in Holland, Michigan, and the Volt’s vehicle’s electric motors will also be made in the United States.

Source: General Motors Co.