By Jerome Vaughn, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-874537.mp3
DETROIT, MI –
General Motors plans to invest $336 million in its Detroit-Hamtramck plant next year to begin building the Chevy Volt.
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GM officials say the Volt will be constructed on an existing production line at the Detroit-Hamtramck plant.
The company plans to begin building Volt prototypes there in the spring. Full production is expected to start in the fall.
GM will also invest another $360 million in seven other plants around Michigan to support the Volt project. Officials say the car's engine-generator will be manufactured in Flint.
The Volt has a range of 40 miles on electric power. After that, a gasoline engine kicks in to give the vehicle extended range.
The automaker announced plans last week to begin offering the car to customers in the California market late next year.
Nearly 1,200 employees currently work at the Detroit-Hamtramck plant, building the Cadillac DTS and the Buick Lucerne.