HAMTRAMCK, MI - General Motors announced it will be adding 1,000 engineers and researchers in Michigan over the next two years to work on development of electric vehicles.  

The commitment by GM CEO Dan Akerson coincides with preparations for delivery of the first Chevrolet Volt electric vehicles to customers in key states.

"GM is going to lead the industry in the adoption of various vehicle electrification technologies, whether it's electric vehicles with extended-range capability, like the Chevrolet Volt, or the recently introduced eAssist technology that will debut on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse," Akerson said. "We want to give our customers energy choices other than petroleum and to make the automobile part of the solution when it comes to the environment."

GM's electric vehicle engineering investment expands on the more than $700 million GM has invested in eight facilities in Michigan to support Volt production.  

GM operates an advanced battery systems lab at its Warren, Mich., Technical Center and has invested $336 million at its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant, home of the Volt, along with another $43 million at the battery pack manufacturing plant in Brownstown Township, Mich.  An additional $162 million investment was announced last week to support powertrain operations in Flint and Bay City, Mich., and Defiance, Ohio.

In addition to GM's investments, suppliers such as LG Chem, utility companies such as DTE Energy, and organizations including the University of Michigan and Wayne State University are investing in Michigan jobs to support Chevy Volt and electric vehicle development.

"The state of Michigan is proud to continue our long partnership with GM as it drives toward a leaner, greener future," Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm said. "As we work to diversify our state's economy both within the auto industry and outside of it, electric vehicles will play a major role in re-establishing Michigan as the North American center of automotive manufacturing."