General Motors is thinking about a $1 billion investment at its Missouri assembly plant where it constructs vans and trucks, state officials stated on Thursday.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson informed the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that GM, in a closed-door meeting, had outlined a strategy to invest in the plant and add jobs.
Parson informed the newspaper that automaker is looking for a package of state incentives that would require approval from the legislature before committing to the project to boost its Wentzville plant, which builds the midsize Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickup trucks, Chevrolet Express Cargo van and GMC Savana full-size van.
State Senator Bob Onder in a Twitter post praised the plan. “I am excited that @GM is considering investing $1 billion dollars in our Wentzville Community! This would extend a decades long relationship between this great company and the great people of St. Charles County,” he wrote
GM refused to confirm the investment, but stated in a statement it appreciated “the willingness of state officials in Missouri to work with us on potential opportunities within the state.”
There has been speculation GM may construct a new mid-size body-on-frame SUV based off the Canyon and Colorado chassis. Automotive News reported in 2016 that industry authorities believed the automaker was considering the plan to finish with Fiat Chrysler’s Jeep brand.
GM has come under criticism in Washington after it declared in November plans to idle five North American plants and slash up to 15,000 jobs. Since then, GM has declared some new U.S. investments.
GM stated in March it planned to spend $1.7 billion in its U.S. plants, generating 700 new jobs, including $300 million at its Orion assembly plant located in suburban Detroit. It announced previous week that it will add a second shift at its Bowling Green, Kentucky, assembly plant and add 400 jobs where it constructs the Chevrolet Corvette.
