The move to enhance the production of components for the broader EV segment is moving at a rapid pace but while other parts of the country are getting battery plants and other facilities, Michigan has long been a locale viewing the action from a distance. A new report suggests that's now changing with the company exploring a potential investment for a Lansing area battery plant.
Follow us today...
General Motors is embarking on a bold push to expand its EV footprint with new factories, partnerships, and a growing pool of suppliers. GM is looking to its home state of Michigan for a new battery plant that would become a potent job creator for the Lansing area and bring things full-circle in the green market.
Lansing Battery Plant Part Of Broader Plan
According to a new report, Ultium LLC (the joint venture between GM and LG Energy Solutions) is requesting a new round of incentives from both Lansing and Michigan for an all-new battery cell plant located near the existing Delta Township Assembly plant. The new plant would be a $2.5 billion investment, but it will ultimately be a long-term value for the area.
The company claims that the new facility will bring 1,700 new jobs to the area, with another 1,000 coming from the actual construction of the plant itself. If everything goes to plan, work on the plant will begin in May of 2022, with the facility ultimately growing to 2.5 million square feet.
Orion Assembly Plant Could Also Be Reworked
Along with the proposed investment in Lansing, GM is also reportedly considering a separate project to transform the currently shuttered Orion Assembly Plant into a critical hub in the Ultium production plan. The plant is presently home to the Bolt and Bolt EUV, but before this, it notably produced the Chevrolet Sonic and even produced the Oldsmobile Aurora, Buick Riviera, and the Cadillac Deville.
This time around, Orion Assembly would be transformed into a facility that would play a key role in producing Ultium powered SUVs and trucks. It would also help bring new jobs to the area, but the exact number is unknown at this point since some of the recruits could come from the original staff and workers that worked at the facility before the ongoing Bolt battery recall forced GM to stop production back in August.
Photo Credit: General Motors
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. In addition to his specialization with Ford, he grew up in a General Motors household and is extensively familiar with their products too. Contact Carl on Twitter at @CarlMalek3, on Instagram and Facebook for automotive news to send news tips.
Follow us today...