DETROIT -

General Motors has not wasted any time in planning how to use the $2 billion the company recently allotted for U.S assembly and component plants, an investment which aims to create or retain more than 4,000 jobs across the country.

On Friday, GM officials announced they would be investing $109 million of the larger sum in operations in Flint and Bay City, Mich., which will protect or add 96 jobs spanning the two cities.

This is the second GM expansion for the two Northern cities’ plants in the last six months. GM announced the plans to improve and invest $151 million in Flint and Bay City operations in November of 2010, with hopes to protect 143 jobs at the plants.

The most recent project will support engine production for current and future fuel-efficient small cars produced for the U.S. market.

"This investment marks the second major increase in engine and engine component output in less than six months — a sign that GM is moving quickly to meet growing demand for more fuel-efficient cars," said Terri Burden, Flint Engine Operations plant manager.

Of the $109 million, $84 million will be utilized at Flint’s plant to increase the 1.4-liter Ecotec engine capacity, an engine used by the Chevrolet Volt, Cruze and Sonic. Bay City’s investment of $25 million will be used to connect rods and camshafts used in the engine.

"This additional GM investment in the Ecotec engine is a testament to all the UAW (United Auto Workers) Local 599 members who have worked so hard to make the 1.4-liter engine America’s first choice," said Terry Everman, chairman of UAW Local 599 at Flint Engine Operations.

When asked about GM’s investment Joe Mazzeo, Bay City plant manager, said, "This announcement comes about in part because of our great team and the focus we place on delivering great products, an outstanding work ethic and an excellent working relationship between our union and management team."

Todd McDaniel, chairman of the UAW Local 362 in Bay City added: "Once again, General Motors has recognized the hard work and dedication of our work force at Bay City.  With this most recent addition to our previous announcements, we are one step closer to filling our plant with work. I feel very confident that it is just a matter of time."

OEM Receives Top Ranking from Patent Board

The Patent Board recently ranked GM as the No. 1 innovator out of 182 companies in its quarterly automotive and transportation industry scorecard — which ranks companies based on patent quality, technological strength and breadth of impact.

GM also ranked first in the same sector in the previous scorecard, published this past January.

The Patent Board analyzes intellectual property performance across 17 industries and determines the leader in each sector based on measurements that include the number of patents, impact on the industry and technology and science strength.

“We focus on inventions that make our vehicles more sustainable,” said Alan Taub, GM’s vice president of research and development. 

“Our engineers are developing advanced technologies that increase fuel efficiency and ensure safety while maintaining the excitement of personal mobility,” he added.

GM has increased its patent filings six-fold in the past 10 years and operates global engineering centers and research and development labs all around the world, all of which factored into the company’s most recent honors.

Furthermore, GM received more clean-energy patents last year than any other organization, according to the Clean Energy Patent Growth Index. GM also received 940 U.S. patents in 2010, which placed it in the top 25 of all companies.