GM to build Malibu, Volt, in Michigan

DETROIT, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- General Motors Co. said it would build the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu and two electric and gasoline hybrid cars at the Detroit-Hamtramck plant in Michigan.

GM vice president of global product planning Jon Lauckner said the company would produce the Malibu and the Chevrolet Volt at the plant, as well as the Opel Ampera, the European version of the Volt, The Detroit News reported Tuesday.

The company will spend $336 million on upgrades for the plant, which currently employees 1,013 hourly workers and 133 salaried staff.

United Auto Workers Local 22 Chairman Frank Moultrie said, "we're trying to get the whole line of electric vehicles," at the plant. "If we did, we would be putting our best foot forward."

GM's board in November approved production of a Cadillac Converj, a gas and electric hybrid for a luxury audience.

GM might find high demand for the Malibu could require production at more than one plant, said industry analyst Jim Hall at 2953 Analytics.

The Malibu was produced in Fairfax, Kan., and at the Orion Township plant in Michigan. But Orion Township plant is being overhauled to produce smaller cars, the News said.