(June 8, 2011) BEDFORD, Ind. — General Motors will invest $49 million to purchase tooling and equipment for the Bedford powertrain plant to produce components for a recently announced 8-speed transmission and a future small engine program. GN The investment will 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 said Wednesday. 

"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."

The Bedford announcement is part of the $2 billion in U.S. investment that GM communicated for 17 facilities in eight states on May 10.  Facilities in Bowling Green, Ky.; Arlington, Tex.; Toledo, Ohio; and Bay City, Detroit, Flint, Lansing and Warren, Mich., also received investments that will positively impact employment.  This builds on the $3.4 billion invested and 9,000 jobs created or retained in the United States since mid-2009. 

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

Bedford currently has 405 hourly and salaried employees.