General Motors plans to invest $20 million at its powertrain operations in Bay City, Mich., where it will produce camshafts for a new version of its Ecotec engine. Total recent investment in the Bay City plant approaches $62.5 million, according to the automaker.
GM manufacturing manager Gerald Johnson said the investment will result in just 15 new positions for UAW workers, but that “the cumulative employment impact” of three investments announced this year for Bay City is more than 100 positions. The new jobs will be filled with UAW members currently on layoff, GM stated.
Bay City produces a range of powertrain components, including piston pins, connecting rods, pinion pins and valves, camshafts, oil pumps, channel plates, case extensions, accumulators, and balance shafts.
So far in 2010, GM has designated the Bay City plant for a $32-million investment to produce the Generation V V8 engine, connecting rod, camshaft, and piston pins; and a $10.5-million investment for the new Ecotec engine connecting rods.
The Ecotec family— the acronym signifies 'Emissions Control Optimization TEChnology' —includes diesel and gas-fueled models. GM says the Ecotec line offers reliability, fuel efficiency and performance, with features like direct injection, variable valve timing, and turbocharging.
