The first was the Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant, which began production in late 2000.

In addition, a 500,000-sf contiguous metal center is already operational at the site. This facility provides most of the major sheet metal to Lansing Grand River and will support the new assembly plant. All together, GM says it will have invested more than $1.1 billion in the new Lansing area plants by the time all the work is completed.

The new plant, scheduled to be in operation by late 2006, covers some 2.4 million sf in three buildings.

Site preparation at the site began late last year. Products for the new plant have not been announced; however, the plant will have the capability of building numerous products and architectures.

"Our decision to build a whole new assembly plant is the result of developing a business case for an all-new product that has tremendous potential in North America," says Gerald L. Elson, GM vice president and general manager of vehicle operations. "An important element of the business case was the work and cooperation of our employees, the United Auto Workers, the State of Michigan, local governments, and the greater Lansing community. As we do business in the extremely competitive global marketplace, the product and the manufacturing process--combined with our people and the community working in a cooperative manner--are all essential to develop a business soluttion that makes sense for everyone."

"Once fully operational, the GM complex in Delta Township will employ approximately 2,500 employees," says Randy Thayer, Lansing Delta Township Assembly plant manager. "Working with our union partners, we will strive for world-class performance in the areas of safety, quality and productivity."