GM to invest $545 million in Michigan plants
Boeing delivers 5,000th 737
Ford lauds president's plan to push energy initiatives

GM to invest $545 million in Michigan plants
General Motors is investing more than $545 million in five of its key Michigan-based manufacturing plants.

The specific facility investments are:

•  $163 million to retool its Pontiac truck plant for production of the next generation Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size trucks late this year;

• $32 million in its Pontiac metal stamping plant for innovative sheet hydroforming equipment used to stamp much of the sheet metal for the Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky and the future Opel roadster;

• $138 million for its Lansing Grand River assembly plant to expand the body shop by more than 120,000 square feet for future vehicle production;

• $152 million for its Ypsilanti Transmission plant to increase production capacity of GM’s new rear-wheel drive, six-speed transmission;

• $60 million for the Romulus Engine plant for various future engine upgrades.

“GM’s investments demonstrate our commitment to continuously improve our products,” said Joe Spielman, vice president and general manager of GM North America Manufacturing. “They also show our dedication to strengthening our Michigan manufacturing operations.”

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm also commented on the importance of the investment. 

"GM's decision to invest more than a half billion dollars in these manufacturing plants clearly signals their belief in our highly skilled and dedicated work force,” she said. “Because the automotive industry is such an important cornerstone of our state's economy and livelihood, we are thankful that GM has chosen to further invest in Michigan."

These investments help GM retain current jobs at the five facilities, while creating more than 280 new jobs at the Pontiac truck assembly plant. GM does not anticipate the need for any new hires.

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Boeing delivers 5,000th 737
Boeing and Southwest Airlines celebrated the 5,000th 737 to come off the production line as thousands of Boeing employees and special guests attended an historic delivery ceremony at the company's Renton, Wash., manufacturing facility.

Guinness World Records has acknowledged the 737 as the most-produced large commercial jet airplane in aviation history.

"The 737 is an icon of efficiency in air travel and one of commercial aviation's greatest success stories," said Alan Mulally, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We are absolutely thrilled that the world's largest 737 operator -- Southwest Airlines -- is the owner of this historic airplane. Our partnership with Southwest and hundreds of other 737 customers has resulted in continuous improvements to the 737 and its ability to help our customers be successful."

The 5,000th 737, a 737-700 painted in Southwest Airlines colors, is the 447th 737 to join the carrier's fleet. Southwest helped launch three Boeing 737 models: the 737-300, -500 and -700.

"Southwest Airlines has been a proud Boeing customer for nearly 35 years, growing our 737 fleet to 445 at the end of 2005," said Laura Wright, chief financial officer, Southwest Airlines. "We'll take delivery of 33 more Boeing 737s in 2006, supporting our continued growth across America."

With more than 4,100 airplanes in service, the 737 represents more than a quarter of the total worldwide fleet of large commercial jets flying today. More than 541 operators fly 737s into more than 1,200 cities in 190 countries. It is estimated that approximately 1,250 737s are in the air at any given moment, with one taking off or landing every 4.6 seconds

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Ford lauds president's plan to push energy initiatives
As President Bush travels across the country this week to discuss his energy policy initiatives, Ford announced support for his efforts to promote the vision he outlined in his State of the Union address.

Ford said is wants to help move the U.S. toward energy independence by increasing research on clean and renewable energy such as ethanol and hybrid battery technology.

To reach the president's goal of replacing 75 percent of U.S. oil imports from the Middle East by 2025 and making ethanol cost-competitive by 2012, government and industry must work together, Ford said in a press release. Government-industry partnerships and policies supporting R&D, demonstration programs and infrastructure development are critical to making alternative fuels a viable choice in the market place.

“Ethanol can provide relief for customers at the pump and lessen America's dependence on foreign oil,” said Bill Ford, chairman and CEO of Ford Motor Co. “Plus, these vehicles can run on fuel that’s grown in the heartland of America.”

"We believe focusing on alternative fuels such as ethanol will bring this issue where it belongs: to the forefront of the national agenda," Ford said.

Ford is doing its part by partnering with state and federal governments and VeraSun Energy Corporation to expand ethanol’s infrastructure throughout the country so consumers can take advantage of clean and renewable fuels.

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