General Motors has announced that its forthcoming extended range electric Cadillac coupe, called the ELR, will be assembled at the firm’s Hamtramck assembly plant in Metro Detroit alongside the Chevrolet /Holden Volt and Opel/Vauxhall Ampera.
The addition of the ELR to Hamtramck in late 2013 represents a $35 million U.S. investment to the plant and marks the first time a two-door Cadillac has been assembled there since the Eldorado, back in 1999.
GM North America president Mark Reuss said yesterday that the ELR, which is a production version of the Converj concept revealed at the North American International Auto Show in 2009, “will be in a class by itself, further proof of our commitment to electric vehicles and advanced technology.”
Speaking at the SAE Convergence Conference in Detroit, Reuss also said that “people will instantly recognize [the ELR] as a Cadillac by its signature, distinctive look and true-to-concept exterior design. I think it will have more impact than when the [CTS Coupe] first hit the road.”
The announcement of ELR production at Hamtramck was welcomed by members of the United Auto Workers Local 22, since it adds up to a total investment of $561 million U.S. at the plant. “This investment reflects the corporation’s confidence that the highly skilled members of UAW Local 22 can successfully build one of the most technologically advanced vehicles in the world,” declared John Ashton, the UAW’s vice president and the man who oversees the union’s GM contracts. “The hard work and dedication of our members demonstrates that we can competitively manufacture products for the future right here in Detroit.”
Hamtramck currently represent a bright spot for auto manufacturing in the Detroit area, besides the Volt, Ampera and now ELR electric vehicles, GM is also building its 2014 full-size Chevrolet Impala at the plant.
