GM Interim CEO Visits Flint Assembly Plant

Edward Whitacre, chairman and interim CEO of General Motors, visited the Flint Assembly plant and talked to local employees on the future on the company but even so, he refused to provide too many details on his plans within the organization. Whitacre said he just wanted to "see what's there" and meet local workers who will be responsible for several models to be rolled out in the next few years.

“I’ve been confined to the office,” he said at the start of the visit. “I just wanted to come up to Flint and see what’s here. If you don’t know me and I don’t know you, it’s not good. We’re in this together. Nothing is going to happen if you don’t do the right thing. We’re sitting in a pretty good position to pull this (recovery) off. Not many companies get a second chance. If people are not optimistic, we will not get it done.”

General Motors announced in early November that it is investing $230 million in four facilities in the Flint area to support production of both the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and Volt.

"These four GM manufacturing plants have a key role in GM's production of the next generation of fuel-efficient vehicles, the Chevrolet Volt and Cruze," said Larry Zahner, GM manufacturing manager. "The men and women at these plants are working hard to exceed their quality and cost objectives while maintaining a relentless focus on safety and improved efficiency."

The Flint Metal Center will need up to $1.7 million to refurbish press lines in order to manufacture sheet metal stampings for the upcoming Volt.