According to Reuters, on July 11, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm announced that General Motors (GM) plans to invest at least $900 million to upgrade an automotive plant in Lansing, Michigan, for electric vehicle (EV) production.
Granholm revealed GM's investment plan during an event held in Lansing. Earlier on July 11, Granholm also announced that under the new government grant, GM would receive $500 million to transform its Lansing Grand River Assembly plant in Michigan for EV production, with specific dates yet to be determined.
GM stated that the Lansing plant might produce electric vehicles in the future, but for now, it will continue manufacturing the Cadillac CT4 and CT5. GM declined to discuss details of the planned models.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) previously announced plans to provide $1.7 billion in grants to fund 11 factories in eight states across the U.S. GM said it plans to invest at least $900 million with the DOE's support. However, a knowledgeable source indicated that GM's final investment amount might be higher. Last year, the United Auto Workers (UAW) said that GM had committed to investing $1.25 billion in the Lansing plant during contract negotiations for future EV production.
GM has announced plans to convert several internal combustion engine plants for EV production, including two other plants in Michigan and factories in Tennessee, Ohio, and Kansas, as the company aims to stop selling gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035.
In January 2022, GM announced plans to build a $2.6 billion battery manufacturing plant in Lansing in partnership with LG Energy Solution. This plant is scheduled to start production by the end of this year. Since 2020, GM has announced investments exceeding $12 billion in North American EV manufacturing and supply chain development.
