GM to Invest $49 Million in Bedford Powertrain

The series of investments planned by GM this year continues at an insane rate in the US, with nearly no week passing by without the car maker making a related announcement. This week, it is the turn of the Bedford Powertrain facility in Bedford, Indiana, to get a bit of good news.

GM says it plans to spend $49 million to purchase tools and equipment and to get the plant ready for the production of the new 8-speed transmission and of a new small engine. As a result of the investment, the car maker says that it will save 91 jobs.

“The all-new 8-speed transmission will improve fuel economy in a number of future vehicles,” GM Manufacturing Manager Arvin Jones said. "And, the new gasoline engine, which will be offered in displacements from 1.0 liters to 1.5 liters, is key to fuel economy leadership in the small four-cylinder engine segment."

“We appreciate the tremendous support we have received from the Bedford community over the years,” Jones said. “This investment is possible because of the teamwork between GM, the UAW, the IBEW, the Bedford community and the great State of Indiana.”

In all, the biggest American automotive producer intends to spend a huge $2 billion on upgrades, retooling and new projects, in the hope that the hard times of 2009 will never return. The investments announced so far included everything from new production lines to state of the art data centers. In all, 17 GM facilities in eight US states will get a capital boost.