General Motors invests $7 billion to rival EV competitors

General Motors said Tuesday it will invest $7 billion in Michigan, much of that aimed at dramatically boosting production of full-size electric pickups, intensifying a battle with rival Ford Motor for EV supremacy in North America. This report produced by Jillian Kitchener.

General Motors is putting the pedal to the metal in its race toward an electric vehicle future.

The company announced Tuesday it will invest $7 billion in Michigan, much of that aimed at dramatically boosting production of full-size electric pickups.

CEO Mary Barra said the investment will benefit four Michigan manufacturing sites and will create 4,000 jobs:

“The 7 billion investment is the largest in GM’s history and its so appropriate that it’s in Michigan. It includes a new Ultium Cell LLC battery plant – will be located near Lansing. As well as the conversion of our assembly plant in Orion township for the production of the Chevrolet Silverado and the GMC Sierra EV pickups.”

GM said its Detroit-Hamtramck and Orion Township plants will be able to build more than 600,000 electric trucks a year by late 2024, including different variations of the new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra electric pickups.

“And all together, we will have more than a million units of EV capability in North America by the end of 2025.”

Tuesday’s announcement intensifies a battle with Ford for EV dominance in North America.

In January, Ford said it will have the annual capacity to build 600,000 electric vehicles, including 150,000 F-150 Lightning pickups, within 24 months.

But, both Ford and GM will have to contend with the current EV leader – Tesla. It will soon open a second U.S. plant in Austin, Texas, and is on pace to sell more than 1 million electric vehicles globally in 2022.