GM to invest $1 billion in Mexico for electric vehicle production, angering UAW members

DETROIT — Common Motors ideas to invest more than $1 billion in Mexico to generate electric autos, the business introduced Thursday.  

The investment decision in its Ramos Arizpe output complicated is the initially big announcement by the automaker for EV generation in Mexico next billions of bucks in confirmed investments in the U.S. and Canada. 

The facility will start off manufacturing at minimum one EV commencing in 2023, GM said. The company declined to explore what vehicle or automobiles will be generated there. The plant as properly as supporting services at this time produce the Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Blazer as effectively as engines and transmissions.

GM’s announcement comes amid a drive from the Biden administration for automakers to enhance American manufacturing, together with EVs. GM did not announce whether the EVs would be imported to the U.S., however latest items manufactured at the plant are sold in The us.

United Car Personnel Vice President Terry Dittes called the expense a “slap in the experience” to its union members and U.S. taxpayers as the business is 1 of quite a few lobbying for governing administration incentives to help EVs.

“At a time when Standard Motors is inquiring for a important financial investment by the U.S. govt in subsidizing electric autos, this is a slap in the facial area for not only UAW associates and their family members but also for U.S. taxpayers and the American workforce,” he reported in a statement.  

Dittes explained taxpayer revenue “must not go to companies that utilize labor exterior the U.S. while benefiting from American government subsidies.”

In the release, Francisco Garza, CEO of GM’s operations in Mexico, thanked the federal and community governments for “advertising” the financial commitment. The enterprise did not disclose precise information of the federal government support.

The expenditure includes new capacity for battery packs and other electronic parts this kind of as electric powered motors, which will commence throughout the next 50 percent of this year. It also involves a new paint store, which is scheduled to begin functions in June, according to a translated press launch from the enterprise.

The Ramos Arizpe plant is predicted to be GM’s fifth producing web page in North The us to generate electric powered autos subsequent bulletins for two plants in Michigan and others in Tennessee and Ontario, Canada. 

GM is predicted to continue on to create or transform plants to EV facilities globally as it moves to become an automaker that solely provides electric cars by 2035. That involves at minimum 30 new EVs by 2025 under a $27 billion investment system in electrical and autonomous cars during that time body.