Normal Motors Committing $900 Million to Plant Upgrades

[Stay on top of transportation news: Get TTNews in your inbox.]

FLINT, Mich. — Normal Motors says it’ll spend greater than $900 million to replace 4 factories, with the majority going to an engine plant in Flint, Mich., to construct the next-generation V8 for large pickup vans and SUVs.

Factories in Rochester, N.Y., Defiance, Ohio and Bay Metropolis, Mich., additionally will see investments, some to make V8 engine elements in addition to elements for future electrical automobiles, the corporate stated Jan. 20.

The investments gained’t create any new jobs, however they are going to protect about 2,400 hourly and salaried positions on the 4 websites, the corporate stated.

The investments “present job safety at these crops for years to come back,” Gerald Johnson, GM’s manufacturing chief, stated in an announcement.

A lot of the cash, $579 million, will go to Flint Engine Operations for tools to construct the sixth-generation small-block V8 that may go into the subsequent spherical of huge pickup vans and SUVs. The plant now employs about 700 individuals who additionally will hold making their present product, a diesel engine utilized in mild vans.

GM, like different automakers, is dealing with stricter authorities gas economic system requirements and air pollution limits beginning within the 2024 mannequin 12 months. New automobiles bought within the U.S. should common a minimum of 40 miles per gallon of gasoline in 2026, up from about 28 mpg, below new Biden administration guidelines that undo a rollback of requirements enacted below former President Donald Trump.

Which means the brand new V8 should get higher mileage and pollute lower than the present variations. Though GM wouldn’t launch particulars on the brand new engine, Johnson stated throughout a information convention on the Flint plant that it will be extra environment friendly than the present model.

GM has a aim of promoting solely electrical passenger automobiles by 2035, however Johnson stated that’s a dozen years out, a interval when many shoppers will nonetheless need fuel engines.

“We all know that has a horizon,” he stated. “Between right here and there, there are a number of inner combustion prospects that we don’t wish to lose,” he stated.

Along with Flint, GM’s engine elements plant in Bay Metropolis, Mich., will get $216 million to construct camshafts and connecting rods, and machine engine blocks and heads, for the brand new V8 being in-built Flint. The plant now employs about 425.

UAW President Ray Curry, left, speaks privately with Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist after the Jan. 20 information convention. (Jake Might/The Flint Journal by way of Related Press)

The Defiance, Ohio, foundry will get $55 million to construct a wide range of block castings for the brand new V8. Included is $8 million for castings to help future electrical automobiles, the corporate stated. The plant has about 530 staff.

And GM’s operations in Rochester, N.Y., will get $68 million, with $56 million to provide battery pack cooling strains for electrical automobiles. The remainder will go for instruments to make consumption manifolds and gas injection rails for the brand new V8. About 745 individuals work on the Rochester facility, GM stated.

GM’s plant in Tonawanda, N.Y., now builds the fifth-generation small-block V8s for large pickup vans and SUVs, and Johnson stated that may proceed till the top of the last decade. “It’s a nice group, an awesome work pressure for us,” he stated Jan. 20. “Tonawanda can be positive working the present Gen 5 properly into the long run,” he stated.

Need extra information? Hearken to in the present day’s each day briefing beneath or go right here for more information: