GM to invest $7 billion in gearing up for electric truck manufacturing

GM makes its largest investment announcement in its history

General Motors Co. announced it will invest more than $7 billion in four Michigan manufacturing sites - creating 4,000 new jobs and retaining 1,000 - to significantly increase battery cell and electric truck manufacturing capacity.

This is the single largest investment announcement in General Motors history, according to a release from the company.

The investment includes construction of a new Ultium Cells battery cell plant in Lansing and the conversion of GM’s assembly plant in Orion Township, Michigan for production of the Chevrolet Silverado EV and the electric GMC Sierra, GM’s second assembly plant scheduled to build full-size electric pickups.

“Today we are taking the next step in our continuous work to establish GM’s EV leadership by making investments in our vertically integrated battery production in the U.S., and our North American EV production capacity,” said Mary Barra, GM Chair and CEO. “We are building on the positive consumer response and reservations for our recent EV launches and debuts, including GMC HUMMER EV, Cadillac LYRIQ, Chevrolet Equinox EV and Chevrolet Silverado EV.

“Our plan creates the broadest EV portfolio of any automaker and further solidifies our path toward U.S. EV leadership by mid-decade,” Barra stated.

These investments are the latest step toward accelerating GM’s drive to become the EV market leader in North America by 2025. The Orion and Ultium Cells Lansing investments announced will support an increase in total full-size electric truck production capacity to 600,000 trucks when both Factory ZERO and Orion facilities are fully ramped.

GM claims it has been the leader in U.S. full-size truck deliveries over the past two years.

Exactly one year ago, GM announced it will phase out petroleum-powered cars and trucks and sell only vehicles that have zero tailpipe emissions by 2035. 

According to GM, the company will focus on offering zero-emissions vehicles across a range of price points and working with all stakeholders, including the Environmental Defense Fund, to build out the necessary charging infrastructure and promote consumer acceptance while maintaining high-quality jobs.

Vertically integrating battery assembly and converting existing assembly plants are at the core of GM’s strategy for scaling EV production in North America. GM projects it will convert 50% of its North American assembly capacity to EV production by 2030.

The Chevy Silverado is among six leading work trucks geared for construction. Check out the details here.