GM Motors is converting an assembly plant in the middle of the Motor City for the electric and autonomous future of transportation.
GM will spend $2.2 billion to make its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant into an all-electric vehicle production center that will make electric trucks, SUVs, cars and a self-driving vehicle designed for fleets.
GM’s first all-electric pickup truck is expected to begin production in Hamtramck in late 2021. The plant plans to produce the new all-electric Hummer truck, which was introduced during a Super Bowl LVI featuring LeBron James on Sunday. The Cruise Origin — a ride-sharing, electric, self-driving vehicle (that doesn’t even feature a steering wheel) — is among the electric passenger cars slated for future production in Hamtramck. GM envisions the Cruise Origin as an autonomous people-mover for ride-sharing fleets.
The city of Hamtramck, the most densely populated municipality in Michigan, is nearly completely enclosed within the city of Detroit. GM first opened the Detroit-Hamtramck in the mid-1980s.
GM said the Hummer EV will feature 1,000 horsepower, 11,500 lb-ft of torque and go 0-60 mph in three quiet seconds. The truck is expected to be unveiled this spring.
“Through this investment, GM is taking a big step forward in making our vision of an all-electric future a reality,” said Mark Reuss, GM president, during a press event at the plant with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and other local and state officials on Jan. 27. “Our electric pickup will be the first of multiple electric truck variants we will build at Detroit-Hamtramck over the next few years.”
Once fully operational, GM says the plant investment will create more than 2,200 U.S. manufacturing jobs. GM will also invest an additional $800 million in supplier tooling and other projects related to the launch of the new electric trucks.
Since 2018, GM has committed investments of more than $2.5 billion in Michigan to bring EVs to market through investments at Orion assembly, GM battery lab in Warren, Brownstown and now Detroit-Hamtramck.
The plant’s paint and body shops and general assembly area will receive comprehensive upgrades, including new machines, conveyors, controls and tooling.
GM’s joint venture with LG Chem, which is investing $2.3 billion to manufacture battery cells in Lordstown, Ohio, will supply battery cells for the electric vehicles manufactured at Detroit-Hamtramck.
Reuss also credited the support of Michigan’s government as a driver behind the OEM’s commitment to Detroit-Hamtramck. was the support this project received from the state of Michigan. “This investment helps ensure that Michigan will remain at the epicenter of the global automotive industry as we continue our journey to an electrified future,” Reuss said.
Detroit-Hamtramck, which has built more than four million vehicles since opening in 1985, currently has a one-shift production that builds the Cadillac CT6 and the Chevrolet Impala. Approximately 900 people are employed at the plant. The plant will be idled for several months beginning at the end of February as the renovations begin.
