General Motors (GM) has announced plans to invest $45 million at its Bedford, Indiana aluminium die casting foundry. This investment will be used to expand the facility’s production capacity of electric vehicle (EV) drive unit castings.
This will be used to support the anticipated strong demand for the Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EVfull-size pickups. The company said the capacity expansion work at the facility will begin immediately.
In December 2021, GM announced a more than $51 million investment at Bedford to install new, state-of-the-art equipment. That equipment supports drive unit castings production for the Chevrolet Silverado EV and various other casting applications.
Last year, the one-million-square-foot site began producing electric drive unit castings that have been used in the 2022 GMC HUMMER EV Pickup.
Phil Kienle, GM vice president of North America manufacturing and labour relations, said: “Our Bedford operation is one of the leading aluminium die casting facilities in the world and this additional investment is really an investment in the Bedford team and their commitment to excellence.
“This investment helps build job security for our Bedford team for years to come as we continue to prepare our entire manufacturing footprint for an all-electric future.”
Since 2011, GM has invested more than $456 million in Bedford Casting Operations.
Suzanne Crouch, Lieutenant Governor of Indiana, said: “We are thrilled that General Motors is making additional investments in Bedford that further help job security and the future for Hoosiers and their families. GM’s commitment and footprint in Indiana contributes to our state’s manufacturing strength and bright future for mobility.”
GM’s Bedford plant opened in 1942 and is a leader in aluminium die casting capabilities. The site’s nearly 680 hourly and salaried workers manage die casting processes that produce cylinder blocks, transmission cases, structural components and drive unit housings.
These components are used largely in Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles. This investment is good news for the future of the workers at the site, most of which are members represented by UAW Local 440 and IBEW Local 16.
Ray Curry, UAW president, said: “UAW commends the announcement of this investment which recognises the contribution of UAW Local 440 members. Their skill, training and craftsmanship contribute to the success of this facility, and this investment highlights the role they will play in GM’s future EV growth.
Sam Craig, Bedford Mayor, said: “Since 2011, General Motors has invested more than $456 million into the Bedford operations, and their additional investment in Bedford’s economy and workforce further demonstrates their commitment to and understanding of our community’s values and strengths.
“We are grateful they continue to choose Bedford as they enter their era of EV production, keeping our workforce and community part of their company’s mission. We are proud to partner with GM in their goals toward an electric future.”
General Motors is focused on advancing its all-electric future and investing heavily in this. Just last week, the company announced that it expects its North American electric vehicle portfolio to be profitable in 2025 as annual capacity tops one million.
General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Baojun and Wuling brands.
