Detroit’s General Motors Co. has announced its plans to invest $71 million into two Ohio manufacturing facilities. The investments will allow GM to retain 240 U.S. manufacturing jobs.
GM will be investing $39 million into its Toledo transmission plant and $32 million into its Defiance casting plant. The Toledo investment will upgrade and enhance the production of GM’s eight-speed rear-wheel-drive transmission, while the Defiance investment will prepare the facility for work relating to future engine casting components. The Defiance plant is located southwest of Toledo.
“Through these investments, GM continues to strengthen its significant manufacturing presence in Ohio,” says Phil Kienle, vice president of North American manufacturing and labor relations. “Our Toledo and Defiance teams continue to focus on building world-class products for our customers, and these actions are an investment in their futures.”
Toledo Transmission Operations opened in 1916 and currently has 1,700 team members who assemble and manufacture transmissions, used in a variety of Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles.
Defiance Casting Operations opened in 1948 and currently has about 580 employees. Team members manufacture cylinder block and cylinder head castings for engines used in a variety of Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles.
Since 2009, GM has invested more than $3.3 billion into Ohio; as well as an additional $2.3 billion in collaboration with Ultium Cells LLC to build a battery cell manufacturing plant in Lordstown. While the new plant will play a critical role in GM’s commitment to an all-electric future, it will also create more than 1,100 local jobs. Construction on the Ultium plant is underway.
GM has continued its commitment to Lordstown by working closely with Lordstown Motors Corp. to support the launch of its Endurance pickup. With the acquisition of Lordstown Motors by DiamondPeak Holdings Corp. in the fourth quarter, GM will invest $75 million in the company, which includes the sale of the former Lordstown Assembly plant and will provide new production equipment.
