CLOSE

GM Holds Press Conference at Lansing's Delta Township To plant it is investing $ 36 million in that plant.
Haley Hansen, Lansing State Journal

General Motors is investing in a future of SUVs and pickups.

The automaker announced Tuesday it will be $ 20 million into its Romulus propulsion plant to increase the plant's capacity for future 10-speed transmission production.

Romulus currently builds V6 engines and 10-speed transmissions used in many GM cars, trucks and crossovers.

General Motors Chairman and CEO Mary Barra, right, talks with employees Angela Jarrett, left, and Kayla Owens on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, at the GM Romulus Propulsion plant in Romulus. (Photo11: Jeffrey Sauger for General Motors)

The news came a day after GM said it would spend $ 36 million at its Lansing Delta Township plant for future crossover production. That builds the Chevy Traverse and Buick Enclave SUVs.

The company also said last week it was adding 1,000 jobs for truck production at its Flint Assembly Plant.

more: GM to invest millions in a Lansing-area factory as it idles

more: General Motors to close Detroit, Ohio, Canada plants

Both investments come amid $ 6,200 jobs, as part of a restructuring plan that included eliminating a total of 8,000 white-collar jobs, through buyouts, contractor cuts and involuntary layoffs.

In a statement, the UAW praised GM's announced investment in Romulus:

"The UAW fully supports this $ 20 million investment at the GM Romulus plant and encourages more of this in the future. … We in the UAW can build where they sell. "

GM's latest investment in its Romulus plant, which employs about 1,350 people, will be used to increase transmission capacity. GM declined to disclose specifics or timing related to the plant's future products.

General Motors Chairman and CEO Mary Barra talks to employees Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, at the GM Romulus Propulsion plant in Romulus. (Photo11: Jeffrey Sauger for General Motors)

"Romulus has a long-standing reputation for quality, productivity and performance, and we are proud of the hard work and commitment of the entire Romulus team," GM CEO Mary Barra said in a statement. "GM's investment in Romulus will enable us to continue playing an important role in our core business going forward."

GM said Barra visited the plant to meet with employees and community leaders. GM, which has been Chevrolet Blazer SUV in Mexico, which is committed to U.S. manufacturing, noting that in addition to the Romulus Spending:

  • Since 2009, GM has invested more than $ 22 billion in U.S. facilities.
  • GM is investing $ 36 million in Lansing Delta Township plant for future SUV production.
  • Since 2009, GM has invested more than $ 880 million at the Romulus plant, it said.

Romulus began building engines in the 1980s, and has produced more than 10.8 million V8 engines and more than 6.6 million V6 engines, GM said. The Romulus plant opened in 1976 as part of the GM Detroit Diesel Allison Division where it built diesel engines and components.

General Motors Chairperson and CEO Mary Barra speaks Monday, Feb. 18, 2019, at the Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant in Delta Township, announcing that GM will invest $ 36M at the plant. [MATTHEW DAE SMITH/Lansing State Joural] (Photo11: Matthew Dae Smith / Lansing State Journal)

Contact Jamie L. LaReau: 313-222-2149 Gold [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. Read more on General Motors and sign up for our autos newsletter.

Read or Share this story: https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/general-motors/2019/02/19/gm-romulus-transmission-plant/2914034002/