General Motors announced on Friday, January 21, that it will invest $154 million into its Lockport Components plant in Western New York. The money invested will help support facility renovations, as well as purchase and installation of brand new machinery and equipment that will produce the electric motor components.
The Lockport plant will be used in the development and production of stator modules, a key component that GM will use in its upcoming range of Ultium-based all-electric vehicles. GM's SUV and truck models are among the vehicles that will utilize this particular technology.
Apart from the stator module, GM's Lockport facility will continue to build parts for the automaker's current truck and SUV production, including HVAC modules, oil coolers, condensers, heater cores, evaporators, radiators, and other components. The Western New York Lockport Components plant, which was founded as the Harrison Radiator Company in 1910, has been an integral part of General Motors.
GM executive vice president of Global Manufacturing and Sustainability Gerald Johnson released a statement regarding the outlay, saying "GM's investment in Lockport Components reaffirms our commitment to manufacturing in Western New York and our confidence in this team. They will build a crucial module in our electric motor assembly for our future electric trucks and SUV."
Johnson added that GM's investment in the Western New York facility is an excellent example of how they are bringing their workforce along on the journey to an all-electric future while they scale their EV production capacity and maintain a flow of parts for their current vehicles.
Related Article: Audi Adds New Color Options to Q3 and TT With Dew Silver and Python Yellow, as Sales Drop In 2021
New York Governor Kathy Hochul was also delighted with General Motors' new commitment to the state, saying the carmaker's investment will not only provide a boost to Western New York's economy, but also will play a critical role in supporting their efforts to electrify the transportation sector and reduce climate-altering air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Senator Chuck Schumer was ecstatic that General Motors is moving forward with its electrification plans, saying, "Today's tremendous news is exactly why I fought so hard to expand electric vehicle infrastructure. Western New York's powerhouse workforce is first-class and ready to help drive the world forward into an electric future."
Schumer added that the Lockport investment will create 230 new positions at the facility between 2023 and 2026. That is a major boost to the Components plant, which currently employs over 1,500 workers. Schumer said that the $154 million investment will help position Western New York as a rapidly emerging leader in the manufacturing of electric vehicles.
GM plans to launch 30 new EV models between now and 2025 with the Ultium battery technology and Ultium drive motor technology set to power the automaker's transition to being an all-electric vehicle brand.
READ MORE ON AWN:
Dustin Hoffman Puts Iconic 1949 Buick Roadmaster up for Auction: Car Played Huge Role in 'Rain Man'
Elvis Presley Cadillac up for Auction; Bidding Starts for 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
See Now: OnePlus 6: How Different Will It Be From OnePlus 5?
