General Motors said it will invest $45 million at a parts plant in Indiana to expand production of drive unit castings for the forthcoming electric versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickups.
The automaker said Friday that the investment at its aluminum die casting plant in Bedford, Ind., will add capacity to support what GM anticipates will be strong demand for the electric trucks.
The latest expansion follows an investment there of more than $51 million in 2021, which was used to support production of drive unit castings for the Silverado EV and other applications. The Bedford plant also produces electric drive unit castings for the 2022 GMC Hummer EV pickup.
“Our Bedford operation is one of the leading aluminum die casting facilities in the world and this additional investment is really an investment in the Bedford team and their commitment to excellence,” Phil Kienle, GM’s vice president of North America manufacturing and labor relations, said in a statement. “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.”
GM said it has invested more than $456 million in the Bedford plant since 2011. The 1 million-square-foot facility opened in 1942 and employs close to 680 hourly and salaried workers.
The Silverado EV is slated to go on sale in 2023, and the Sierra EV will follow in 2024. Both pickups will be built at GM’s Factory Zero in Detroit.
