OREANDA-NEWS. General Motors will start construction on a USD 63-million expansion of the Lansing Delta Township facility, part of the nearly USD 300 million in Michigan-based investments that GM CEO Mary Barra referenced in a speech Tuesday at the Detroit Economic Club.

The expansion will add nearly 263,000 square feet to the facility that produces the Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave large crossovers.

"Today's announcement is the latest example of our ongoing efforts to strengthen key plant capabilities," said GM North America Manufacturing Vice President Cathy Clegg. "We're committed to producing the highest quality and safest vehicles in the market, which will help us earn customers for life. This is why facility investment is so important."

Opened in 2006, the Lansing Delta Township Assembly is GM's newest plant in North America, blending best practices and the newest technology in one facility. It was the first automotive manufacturing facility in the world to be a Gold Certified Leader in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

"UAW members have a proud history of building quality vehicles in the Lansing Delta Township plant and they look forward to the changes and upgrades made possible by what workers and management are able to achieve by working together," said UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada, who directs the union's national General Motors Department. "The investment in the plant and in UAW Local 602 members means workers will have an updated environment in which they can continue delivering quality workmanship for years to come."

The expansion will add roughly 28,000 square feet to general assembly and more than 181,000 square feet to the body shop for the newest generation of robotics and lean flexible tooling. A 54,000-square-feet addition to the paint shop will allow use of improved sealers and coatings to increase corrosion resistance.