BEDFORD, Ind. -

In the same week as its annual shareholders’ meeting, General Motors’ string of investment announcements continued Wednesday as the automaker said it will use $49 million to purchase tooling and equipment for the Bedford powertrain plant.

This newest investment is geared to produce components for a recently announced eight-speed transmission and a future small engine program as well as create or retain 91 jobs.   

“The all-new 8-speed transmission will improve fuel economy in a number of future vehicles,” GM manufacturing manager Arvin Jones offered.

“And, the new gasoline engine, which will be offered in displacements from 1.0 liters to 1.5 liters, is key to fuel economy leadership in the small four-cylinder engine segment,” Jones continued.

The Bedford announcement is part of the $2 billion in U.S. investment that GM outlined for 17 facilities in eight states back on May 10. Facilities in Bowling Green, Ky., Arlington, Texas, Toledo, Ohio, as well as Michigan operations in Bay City, Detroit, Flint, Lansing and Warren also received investments that are projected to positively impact employment.

GM pointed out these developments build on the $3.4 billion invested and 9,000 jobs created or retained in the United States since mid 2009. 

The automaker noted the Bedford investment is primarily for manufacturing machinery, equipment and special tooling for the current facility. GM contends the plant, which opened in 1942, is one of the leading aluminum die casting facilities in the world. The company added Bedford uses an aluminum die cast process to manufacture transmission casings and converter housings for the new fuel-efficient six-speed transmissions.  

“We appreciate the tremendous support we have received from the Bedford community over the years,” Jones acknowledged.

“This investment is possible because of the teamwork between GM, the UAW, the IBEW, the Bedford community and the great State of Indiana,” he went on to say.

GM pointed out Bedford currently has 405 hourly and salaried employees.   

“The hard work and dedication of the members of UAW Local 440 has made the Bedford plant one of the leading aluminum die-casting facilities in the world,” stated Joe Ashton, UAW vice president in the GM department.

“This investment will retain jobs that are vital to Bedford’s economy and represents GM’s commitment to manufacturing in America,” Ashton continued.

Paul Green, business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 16, added, “This announcement is the result of the hard work and dedication of Bedford IBEW members in building quality products for our customers. It is good news for our members, the community and the future of U.S. manufacturing.”

The emphasis on its manufacturing base is just one element of GM’s operation the OEM is touting.

Earlier this week while addressing the automaker’s shareholders for the first time since GM’s IPO, top boss Dan Akerson described the Buick Verano and Chevrolet Sonic Z-spec sharing the stage with him at Detroit’s Fisher Theatre as being “just the tip of the iceberg” of the company’s product transformation.

That metamorphosis, along with the automaker’s new-found “competitive dynamic,” have helped pushed GM to five consecutive quarters of profits.

More of Akerson’s meeting comments can be found in Auto Remarketing’s report here.