General Motors Co. said Monday it plans to construct a new paint shop and install a new stamping press as part of a $600 million investment at its Fairfax Assembly and Stamping Plant in Kansas City, Kan.
The new upgrades aren't expected to create any new jobs, but will retain nearly 4,000, GM said.
GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson was on hand in Kansas to make the investment announcement to employees, which the automaker is calling one of its largest plant investments ever. Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback also was expected to attend.
"This major investment is a vote of confidence in the employees and leadership of this plant and will allow them to continue producing beautiful, world-class vehicles like the Chevrolet Malibu and Buick LaCrosse — with the same quality workmanship that has defined the Fairfax complex for nearly 70 years," Akerson said in a statement.
The Detroit News on Friday reported Akerson and Brownback were scheduled to attend the investment announcement. The Kansas City Star reported Friday that a local government in Kansas approved $120 million in revenue bonds last September to finance a proposed 400,000-square-foot addition to the paint shop.