(June 10, 2011) DEFIANCE, Ohio — General Motors intends to invest $47 million in its Defiance powertrain plant to purchase tooling and equipment to increase volume of components for the fuel-efficient Ecotec 1.4-liter engine and the next generation of small block car and truck engines.

“This investment reflects the growing demand for fuel-efficient vehicles, such as the Chevrolet Cruze, Volt and the all-new Sonic,” GM Manufacturing Manager Arvin Jones said Friday.  “The products produced here will help our customers deal with rising fuel prices.”

The Defiance announcement is part of the $2 billion in U.S. investment that GM announced May 10 for 17 facilities in eight states. Facilities in Bowling Green, Ky.; Arlington, Tex.; Toledo, Ohio; Bedford, Ind.; 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 GM has created or retained in the United States since mid-2009.

The plant, which opened in 1948, produces 5.8 million parts annually. It last was upgraded in 2010 to enable the facility to produce parts for the 1.4-liter engine.

Defiance currently has 1,277 hourly and salaried employees.