– In keeping with its plans to produce limited-edition, high-performance models for a variety of its vehicles, General Motors says it will spend $10 million to build a new factory northwest of Detroit for low-volume production of performance engines. “A small but very passionate group of customers wants and demands vehicles with uncompromising levels of performance,” says Ed Koerner, GM Powertrain’s vice president of engineering operations.
– General Motors will invest $15 million next year to renovate the body shop and assembly line at its Saturn plant in Newport, Del., to prepare for the production of a new vehicle, company officials say. The company would not name the vehicle or say when production will begin, but analysts and dealers say they are expecting it to be the Pontiac Solstice sports car, which will be introduced at the Detroit Auto Show Jan. 4.
