Some $336 million will be spent on the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant to begin production of the extended-range electric car.
That makes the facility the first plant in the U.S. owned by a major automaker to produce an electric car.
To reduce cost and maximise flexible manufacturing techniques, some equipment for Volt production is being reused from other GM facilities and installed in the Detroit-Hamtramck plant's body shop.
Assembly of Volt prototype vehicles will begin in the spring, with the start of regular production scheduled for late 2010.
The Volt is an electric vehicle with extended-range capability. It is designed to drive up to 40 miles on electricity without using petrol or producing tailpipe emissions.
When the Volt's lithium-ion battery is depleted of energy, an engine/generator kicks in to extend the total driving range to about 300 miles before refuelling or stopping to recharge the battery.
Pricing has yet to be announced. The car is set to be sold in Europe as the Opel/Vauxhall Ampera.
Posted on 09.12.2009
