OREANDA-NEWS. General Motors today increased to USD 350 million planned spending for new vehicles to be produced at its Spring Hill assembly plant. The new investment adds USD 167 million to a previously announced USD 183 million pledge and is expected to create or retain about 1,800 jobs.

The new investment is for two projects:
An additional USD 40 million added to the earlier announced USD 183 million investment to support a future mid-size vehicle program, bringing the new total investment to USD 223 million. This program is expected to create or retain approximately 1,000 jobs.
A second mid-size vehicle program with an investment of USD 127 million that will create or retain approximately 800 jobs.

Timing and product specifications for both programs will be shared closer to start-of-production.

The new programs will add to existing manufacturing operations at the site that include vehicle assembly, stamping, engine and component parts production.

“Today’s announcement recognizes the commitment of Spring Hill employees and leadership," said Mark Reuss, president, GM North America. “As a team, they draw upon the plant's unique heritage and dedicated work force to deliver top quality for our customers.”

Located 40 miles south of Nashville, GM Spring Hill Manufacturing operates as a flexible-assembly plant, capable of building a variety of products on a range of platforms. The facility is designed to supplement production for plants being retooled for new products or add production to meet sales spikes in real time.

Chevrolet Equinox production began at the site in the third quarter of 2012 to meet growing consumer demand and support GM’s Canada operations. GM Spring Hill Manufacturing, home to the former Saturn brand from 1990 to 2007, operates as a fully integrated complex.

“I would like to thank General Motors for its confidence that the highly skilled members of UAW Local 1853 can successfully build mid-size vehicles with high quality here at Spring Hill,” said UAW Vice President Joe Ashton, who directs the union’s GM Department. “The hard work and dedication of our members once again proves that we can competitively manufacture vehicles for the future right here in Tennessee.”