Auto manufacturing giant General Motors (GM) announced that the company has set aside $5.4 billion to upgrade and modernize its facilities in the continental United States and further affirms better local employment opportunities.
Since its bailout in 2009, the country's largest auto manufacturer has begun the expansion of its plants across the US, according to the The New York Times.
Cathy Clegg, GM's head of North American manufacturing told the publication that the company's investments are focused on how to improve the customer's experience with every new product line.
The Detroit Free Press said in a related report that GM would likely put $783.5 million in its Warren, Lansing and Pontiac plants. The rest of the $520 million investments would be invested in re-tooling and new equipment at the Delta Township assembly plant near Lansing, where the Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia and the Buick Enclave are being made.
In the Lansing plant alone, the new plant upgrade would retain the jobs of some 1,900 workers employed there, the New York Times added.
The company is taking advantage of the vibrant car market sales and the new technology boosts that have increased marketing appeal.
Modernization of the factories would provide much-needed positive traction as car companies negotiate with the factory workers union this year.
This is the first time the company will have to negotiate with the workers union since a temporary 2009 halt in wage adjustments was imposed to allow the auto companies to cope during the financial crises.
This summer, GM, Ford Motor and Fiat Chrysler will begin negotiations with the United Automobile Workers union on a new contract for more than 130,000 American factory workers.
