By: The Associated Press//February 18, 2010//
TONAWANDA — General Motors says it will invest nearly $500 million in three facilities that will produce the next generation of its Ecotec engine.
Most of that — about $425 million — will go to the Tonawanda engine plant near Buffalo, which will add 470 jobs. Bay City, Mich., will gain 17 jobs, with a $10.5 million investment. Another 80 jobs will be added in Defiance, Ohio. GM will invest $59 million there.
GM made the announcement Thursday at the New York plant, which is down to about 650 employees after shutting down two engine lines last year.
The current version of the four-cylinder Ecotec is used in the Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain.