GM Said To Plan $1 Billion Investment To Expand Missouri Truck/Van Plant

After cutting thousands of job and idling five plants in North America, General Motors might have some really good news for the state of Missouri.

The automaker is reportedly considering a $1 billion investment at its Wentzville plant in Missouri, where it currently builds vans and pickup trucks. According to Missouri Governor Mike Parson, GM had outlined a plan to invest in the plant and add jobs.

Parson told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the automaker is seeking a package of state incentives before committing to the project of expanding the Wentzville plant. GM is now waiting for the incentives to be approved by the state legislature before making an official announcement. Missouri State Senator (R) Bob Onder welcomed the news on Twitter.

Also read: Bring It On! GM Adding 400 Jobs At Corvette Plant For C8 Production

I am excited that @GM is considering investing $1 billion dollars in our Wentzville Community! This would extend a decades long relationship between this great company and the great people of St. Charles County. #moleg #MAGA #Missouri https://t.co/E0iOBloHgn

— Bob Onder (@BobOnderMO) May 2, 2019

For now, GM has declined to confirm the investment, but in a statement cited by Reuters, it said it appreciated “the willingness of state officials in Missouri to work with us on potential opportunities within the state.”

The plant currently builds the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon mid-size pickups as well as the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size cargo vans. Replacement models for the vans are long overdue, but the investment may not be related to them — at least not entirely.

The company has been rumored for a while now to plan a new mid-size body-on-frame SUV based on the same chassis as the Colorado and Canyon. The rugged SUV would be built in Wentzville and compete with the Jeep Wrangler and the upcoming Ford Bronco.

GM already sells a Colorado-based SUV in overseas markets. Depending on the country, it is called the Chevrolet Trailblazer or Holden Trailblazer (in Australia). If the rumors prove accurate, the new model is likely to be based on the next-generation Colorado/Canyon.