General Motors Corp. put forth a new capital-investment program worth $100 million to expand production of 10-speed automatic transmissions, for its Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty, full-size pickups. The bulk of the investment will take place at the Romulus, Mich., plant, where GM is committing $93 million to add machining capability.
The Romulus plant Romulus Powertrain produces V6 engines and 10-speed transmissions for various Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles, and GM notes it has invested more than $900 million at that location in the past decade to expand capacity and update manufacturing capabilities. Last October, the automaker pledged $17 million to improve automation and expand capacity for the 10-speed transmission products there.
The remaining $7 million will be invested at the Bedford, Ind., metalcasting operation to expand aluminum diecasting capacity. The foundry casts aluminum transmission casings, converter housings, cylinder heads, small gas-engine blocks, and some chassis parts.
The Bedford metalcasting operations have been the object of about $235 million in capital investments during the past decade.
Both expansion projects will begin immediately, according to GM.
“Demand for our Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickups continues to be very strong and we are taking action to increase the availability of our trucks for our dealers and customers,” stated Phil Kienle, GM vice president, North America Manufacturing and Labor Relations.