Towson, Maryland (February 1, 2006) Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith joined General Motors Corporation Chairman and CEO Richard Wagoner and UAW Vice President Richard Shoemaker today as GM announced an investment of up to $118 million to upgrade its GM Powertrain Baltimore Transmission plant. The White Marsh plant will build a new, rear-wheel drive two-mode hybrid vehicle transmission. The investment is expected to create up to 87 new jobs at the eastern Baltimore County facility.

"GM's investment is a vote of confidence in Baltimore County's workers and their ability to help keep us competitive locally, nationally and around the world," stated Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith.

The new investment will involve upgrades to the existing facility, including new manufacturing equipment and new tooling. About 100,000 square feet - approximately a quarter of the facility - will be dedicated to producing the two-mode hybrid transmission.

"With the first light-duty, hybrid transmission to be designed and built in the U.S., we're also very excited to be bringing new jobs and capital investment to Maryland," Wagoner said. "We applaud the United Auto Workers and Maryland's federal, state and local leaders for making this investment possible."

GM Powertrain's Baltimore Transmission facility opened in 2000. Its 440-member workforce currently builds the Allison 1000 Series automatic transmission.

"This $118 million investment in new manufacturing equipment, new tooling and facility upgrades, is welcome news for UAW Local 239 members at Baltimore Transmission, and the Baltimore community," said UAW Vice President Richard Shoemaker.

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