Congressman Dingell Tours Chevy Volt Battery Assembly Plant in Brownstown

Press Release

Yesterday afternoon, Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) toured the General Motors Battery Assembly Plant in Brownstown, Michigan, to see the assembly of the battery pack for the Chevrolet Volt .

"I'm proud to have spent an exciting day with labor and management at GM's Brownstown plant to experience first-hand the innovative work they do with battery assembly," said Dingell. "In order to keep good-paying, high-quality jobs right here in the U.S., we must continue our national commitment to promote the domestic production of advanced technology vehicles. Making these vehicles in America is an all-around win, not only for the economy, but also for the environment, for the American auto worker, American families, and American industry."

"We appreciate the support that Congressman John Dingell has shown to the team here at GM's Brownstown Battery Assembly Plant," said Nancy Laubenthal, plant manager. "Leaders like Congressman Dingell are helping GM, and the rest of the auto industry, bring electrification technologies to the road that will help customers reduce their fuel budgets, while helping the environment."

The tour showcased the new technology and battery packs being assembled in the United States by General Motors, the first major automaker to assemble advanced lithium-ion battery packs in the U.S. The Brownstown plant began production in January 2010 and employs 100 auto workers, who produce the battery pack that power the Chevrolet Volt. Brownstown is the first U.S. automotive lithium-ion battery manufacturing site.

"Manufacturing environmentally friendly vehicles -- fit for all types of driving needs -- will not only help Michigan move forward, but also create the potential to propel the United States ahead of its global competitors," Dingell said. "The tour reaffirmed my confidence that Michigan is the place where we can restore domestic manufacturing to health. To do that, though, we have to "out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build' our competitors, just as President Obama says. I will continue to fight to ensure that advanced technology R&D and manufacturing in this country are protected and promoted."

The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with extended-range capability. The Volt and its range-extending engine were both built in Michigan. It is designed to drive up to 35 miles on electricity without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the lithium-ion battery is depleted of energy, a gas powered engine-generator seamlessly operates to extend the vehicle's total driving range to over 375 miles before refueling or stopping to recharge the battery is necessary.

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