Over the past few weeks, Ford and GM announced investments in Michigan manufacturing facilities and new electric vehicle models. Together, they are investing over $3 billion in electric and autonomous vehicle manufacturing in Michigan.
Ford Commits to E-mobility in Michigan, Announces the E-Transit
Ford is investing $850 million into the Van Dyke Transmission Plant in Sterling Heights and the River Rouge Complex in Dearborn to manufacture electric vehicles. All told, these investments will add or retain 725 Michigan jobs. The Van Dyke facility will assemble e-motors and e-transaxles for electric vehicles and the Rouge Plant will produce the all-electric F-150.
Ford also unveiled the E-Transit last week, offering fleets an all-electric option of their popular delivery vehicle. The E-Transit will offer customers software and data services that can help to manage their fleets. The E-Transit release is expected in 2021.
GM is Accelerating EV Investments, Unveils the Hummer EV
GM aims to release 20 electric vehicles by 2023, and thanks to strategic partnerships and technology investments, they are on track to exceed their goal. The Hummer EV was unveiled in late October and is being dubbed “the world’s first supertruck.” The all-electric Hummer is slated to go to production by the end of 2021.
General Motors also announced that they are rebranding their Detroit-Hamtramck plant to “Factory Zero.” GM will spend $2.2 billion to retrofit the facility for zero-emission and autonomous vehicles, and will start calling back workers to the plant in the New Year.
In addition to the Factory Zero investments, GM is also investing $150 million in five additional Michigan facilities. Two of those facilities – Orion Assembly and Brownstown Battery Assembly – will be used to produce self-driving Cruise Vehicles. Cruise is using the Chevrolet Bolt as the basis for their autonomous vehicles.
