GM Announces $877M Investment To Modernize Flint Assembly Plant

FLINT (WWJ) - General Motors is putting big money into some big upgrades at its Flint, Michigan plant.

GM North America Manufacturing Vice President Cathy Clegg says the company is investing $877 million to modernize Flint Assembly, where they build Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks.

She said the decision to double down at the facility was made for a number of reasons.

"The products, the workforce, the partnership between the UAW and GM, the need to increase and improve our technology and focus on the customer," said Clegg. "Flint was chosen for that reason...similar to a number of our other investments."

Clegg said improvements to the body plant will allow more efficiency in moving sheet metal and other parts to the assembly of their full-size pickups.

Local 598 Chairman David Campbell says this announcement by GM is the fruit of his union membership's hard labor.

"A year ago, a little over a year ago, we had a $600 million paint shop announcement right here on 5th Avenue...and our membership continued to work harder and harder to show General Motors that we are worthy of more investment — right here in Flint," Campbell said.

While these upgrades don't necessarily mean any new jobs with GM in Flint, Campbell said that is something they hope to work toward in the future.