OREANDA-NEWS. General Motors said Wednesday it will invest $44 million in the Bowling Green Assembly plant to support increased capacity in its Performance Build Center, adding 36 new jobs. Construction and tool re-arrangement is planned to start in January 2016. 

The expansion of the Performance Build Center is fueled by the success of the Corvette Z06, which currently accounts for nearly a third of all Corvettes produced at Bowling Green Assembly.

The Performance Build Center also offers a one-of-a-kind experience for customers – the Build Your Own Engine program. This program allows customers to assemble the 650-hp supercharged LT4 engine for their cars. The $5,000 option package includes a full day with a Performance Build Center engine assembly technician who instructs and oversees the build, a personalized engine plaque identifying the customer and professional photography.

“Coupled with the investment, for $439 million for a new paint shop and facility upgrades announced in May, GM has committed $483 million to Bowling Green this year alone,” said plant manager Kai Spande. “These significant investments indicate the company’s confidence in Bowling Green, the Performance Build Center and our skilled workforce.”

Construction took place in 2013 and early 2014, with engine production beginning in the second quarter of 2014. The Performance Build Center produces the 2016 LT4 6.2L V-8 for the Chevrolet Corvette Z06.

GM has added 316 new jobs and invested a total of $617.5 million over the last four years at Bowling Green. 

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 115 countries and selling around 4.8 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value.