GM To Announce Flint Factory Investment
DETROIT (WWJ/AP)- A person briefed on the matter says General Motors will invest millions in its Flint, Mich., assembly plant so it can make the next generation of full-size pickup trucks.
WWJ Auto Analyst John McElroy says this is good news for a plant that makes a lot of money.
"Pick-up trucks are extremely popular, not just among people who want to be urban cowboys or cowgals, but people who need trucks for work - whether they are contractors or do some sort of construction work ... a lot of people have to have those trucks even if gas does go to four dollars a gallon," said McElroy.
GM has scheduled a news conference at the Flint Assembly Plant on Monday morning to make the announcement. The company said Friday that its head of labor relations, union officials and local politicians are scheduled to attend.
"It doesn't necessarily mean that there will be more jobs right now, will open up right away, but if the truck market continues to recover there is a potential for jobs being added there, but the really good news is that the jobs that are already there, are going to be preserved," said McElroy.
The person did not know exactly how much the company would invest in the plant, which makes the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. The person did not want to be identified because the announcement had not been made public.
GM said earlier this month that it would roll out new versions of the Silverado and Sierra pickups next year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
