General Motors Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson on Friday, June 22, 2012, before the groundbreaking for the expansion of GM Auto, its wholly owned manufacturing facility in St. Petersburg, Russia. The expansion will more than double GM Auto’s annual production capacity from the current 98,000 vehicles to 230,000 vehicles by 2015. Photo courtesy GM

St. Petersburg, Russia – June 22, 2012

General Motors broke ground today for the expansion of GM Auto, its wholly owned manufacturing facility in St. Petersburg, Russia.

It will more than double GM Auto’s annual production capacity from the current 98,000 vehicles to 230,000 vehicles by 2015.

The project is the most significant development for GM’s Russian operations since GM Auto opened in 2008.

GM Auto’s expansion is part of an historic partnership formed last year with the Russian Federal Ministry of Economic Development that will lead to GM investing US $1 billion in its Russian operations over the next five years.

General Motors Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson (L) greets former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul (R) on Friday, June 22, 2012, before the groundbreaking for the expansion of GM Auto, its wholly owned manufacturing facility in St. Petersburg, Russia. The expansion will more than double GM Auto’s annual production capacity from the current 98,000 vehicles to 230,000 vehicles by 2015. Photo courtesy GM

The investment will also support the increase of production at the GM-AVTOVAZ joint venture in Togliatti, Russia, resulting in combined annual Russian production capacity for GM of 350,000 vehicles.

GM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dan Akerson, Russian Federal Deputy Minister Alexey Rakhmanov, U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, and former U.S. Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger joined senior representatives from GM Russia and GM Auto employees at today’s celebration.

When the expansion is complete, employment at the facility will increase from 2,500 to 4,000 people.

General Motors Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson greets workers at GM Auto in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Friday, June 22, 2012, before a groundbreaking of a planned expansion of the wholly owned manufacturing facility. The expansion will more than double GM Auto’s annual production capacity from the current 98,000 vehicles to 230,000 vehicles by 2015. Photo courtesy GM

They will manufacture Chevrolet and Opel models for the Russian market.

Among the additional vehicles that will be produced at GM Auto is the new Opel Astra sedan, which will make its worldwide debut at the Moscow International Motor Show in August.

Dan Akerson in Russia Plant Expansion. General Motors Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson greets workers at GM Auto in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Friday, June 22, 2012, before a groundbreaking of a planned expansion of the wholly owned manufacturing facility. Photo courtesy GM

“General Motors is embarking on a new era in Russia, one of the world’s fastest-growing vehicle markets, as part of our strategy to build where we sell,” said Akerson.
“The global vehicles that we produce and the manufacturing systems that we are putting in place are creating long-term benefits for Russia’s automotive industry, its supply base and its economy.

GM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dan Akerson, Russian Federal Deputy Minister Alexey Rakhmanov, U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, and former U.S. Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger joined senior representatives from GM Russia and GM Auto employees at today’s celebration. Photo courtesy GM

“Our growing investment is the strongest possible endorsement by General Motors of our intent to make Russia a significant part of our international operations. Our vision in Russia, as in all of the other markets where we do business, is to design, build and sell the world’s best vehicles,” he said.

GM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dan Akerson, Russian Federal Deputy Minister Alexey Rakhmanov, U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, and former U.S. Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger joined senior representatives from GM Russia and GM Auto employees at today’s celebration. Photo courtesy GM

During his three-day visit to Russia, Akerson also addressed business leaders and media at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 22.

He discussed the importance of investing first in products and technology, being well-positioned for profitable growth and building strong brands that connect with customers worldwide.

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets.

GM Renaissance Center Global Headquarters Displays New Lighting. The General Motors Renaissance Center Global Headquarters displays new exterior lighting at dusk Thursday, February 9, 2012. Photo courtesy GM / John F. Martin

GM’s brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling.

More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com  


Source: General Motors

http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/news.html  



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