GM Celebrates the Grand Opening of Factory ZERO, the world’s first all-electric vehicle factory.
GM’s Factory ZERO EV
The grand opening of the GM’s Factory ZERO EV assembly plant was celebrated by the President of the United States, Joe Biden, Mary Barra, GM’s Chair and CEO, Gerald Johnson, GM’s Executive Vice President of Global Manufacturing and Sustainability, wider GM leadership, plant employees, and other officials.
Less than two years after GM announced the enormous $2.2 billion investment to totally refurbish the site to construct a variety of all-electric trucks and SUVs, production is scheduled to begin at the former Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant.
“GM’s manufacturing experience is critical to realizing our all-electric future,” said Mary Barra, the company’s chairman and CEO. “Today is a watershed moment for the entire GM team. Factory ZERO was retooled using the world’s best and most advanced technology to produce the greatest quality electric automobiles for our clients.
The 2022 GMC HUMMER EV Pickup, 2024 GMC HUMMER EV SUV, Cadillac LYRIQ, and Cruise Origin, among other yet-to-be-announced EVs, will be built at GM’s Factory ZERO EV. The Chevrolet Bolt EUV, HUMMER EV SUV, and Cadillac LYRIQ EV are among the vehicles that will be produced at the plant and will soon be available in the Middle East. Read More: Industry First, Harley-Davidson Bike Rentals in Saudi Arabia
The new manufacturing method will support one of GM Middle East’s two key business pillars: delivering the many electric vehicles (EVs) that will advance the region’s future mobility agenda across electrification, autonomy, and connectivity, all while promoting a green circular economy.
“Factory Zero’s debut enhances our position as a regional leader in the future of transportation.” Most Middle Eastern countries are working hard to attain their net zero goals, with most of them focusing on transportation. This is encouraging when considering the future acceptance of our EV and AV portfolios, which are now a step closer to being on Middle Eastern roads thanks to GM’s Factory Zero’s large-scale production. In this line, we can continue to expand our efforts to bring national sustainability visions to life,” said Luay Al Shurafa, President and Managing Director of GM Africa and the Middle East.
The Ultium Platform makes its premiere at Factory ZERO.
The Ultium Platform, which is at the centre of GM’s EV product strategy, will be used to build all Factory ZERO EVs. The Ultium Platform, which includes a common vehicle architecture and propulsion components such as battery cells, modules, packs, drive units, EV motors, and integrated power electronics, is critical in EV manufacturing plants.
GM will experience a strategic value chain change across its network of car assembly factories as a result of the Ultium Platform, as the business will be able to standardize and streamline machines, tooling, and assembly processes. As more assembly plant conversions take place, this flexibility allows for reduced capital investments and higher efficiencies. The platform will also be used in upcoming EVs in the Middle East, as well as the autonomous Cruise, which will launch in Dubai in 2023 in partnership with Dubai’s Road Transportation Authority in the form of a fleet of Cruise Origin self-driving vehicles, with plans to expand to 4000 vehicles by 2030. Read More: Mohamed Yousuf Motors offers – BMW M3 & M4
Factory ZERO is a demonstration of General Motors’ competitive edge.
GM’s Factory ZERO EV was retooled for electric vehicle production for two-thirds the cost of a greenfield plant, making it a model for future GM facility upgrades. By 2030, GM will save up to $15 billion in capital expenses by renovating existing production sites rather than building new ones as it continues its shift to an all-electric future. When GM’s manufacturing facilities are fully converted to support EV production, the figure jumps from $20 billion to $30 billion. That money could be better spent on extra customer-facing products, services, and technologies.
GM’s commitment to modernizing its current network of manufacturing sites during the EV transition saves time in addition to the financial benefits. The corporation can deliver new, innovative EVs to customers faster thanks to an expedited launch and manufacturing start. Pre-production of the 2022 HUMMER EV pickups began in September at Factory ZERO, and GMC HUMMER expects to deliver the first vehicles to Middle Eastern consumers in 2022. Watch More: Gulf Tech & News.
GM slashed the manufacturing launch time in half – from two years to less than one – by using virtual tools and working in tandem with production engineering teams, gaining a competitive edge. From site selection to car production, greenfield assembly plant design and construction might take up to four years.
According to GM, an electric vehicle’s assembly process is 80 percent like that of a conventional vehicle. For GM, this is yet another source of speed. Over many decades, the firm has honed and perfected its own standardized production methods and will now deploy its growing line of electric vehicles sooner, with better quality and at a cheaper cost.
The people at Factory ZERO are its most asset.
GM’s Factory ZERO EV team is supported by a worldwide manufacturing workforce of more than 90,000 industrial problem solvers with a combined experience of 1.4 million years. Every year, they manage an average of 11 significant launches, including both internal combustion engines and electric vehicles. As a result, GM can manufacture an electric vehicle in the same amount of time it takes to build an ICE vehicle. Trending Now: OLA Electric Scooter – தமிழில் (Sales, Service & Price)
Gerald Johnson, GM’s executive vice president of Global Manufacturing and Sustainability, remarked, “Our people are GM’s fundamental competitive advantage — an advantage you just can’t buy or fast build.” “At Factory ZERO, we’re building on that knowledge with training that will ensure EV and AV launches are successful in terms of safety, quality, and speed while also lowering cost per unit.”
Factory ZERO is dedicated to environmental sustainability.
GM’s Factory ZERO EV, as an electric vehicle assembly factory, contributes to GM’s goal of eliminating tailpipe emissions from new light-duty vehicles by 2035 and becoming carbon neutral in its global products and operations by 2040. The business has already committed to investing $35 billion in electric and driverless vehicles, with more than 30 EV models set to be introduced globally by 2025. Factory ZERO serves as a practical demonstration of GM’s commitment to operating in a sustainable manner. Trending Now: Matte finish on BMW & LEXUS Maintenance is easy.
The following are some of the highlights from Factory ZERO:
Crushed concrete from the previous factory floor was repurposed for temporary roads around the complex, and GM utilized or recycled practically every item that came out of the facility during conversion.
To lower discharge costs and offset the expense of potable water, storm water will be recycled.
Storm water will be treated and used in the plant’s cooling towers and fire suppression system.
DTE Energy has installed a 30-kilowatt solar carport and a 516-kilowatt ground-mount photovoltaic solar array at the site.
A 16.5-acre nature sanctuary on Factory ZERO’s property is home to monarch butterflies, foxes, and turkeys.
GM is demonstrating its manufacturing leadership capacity and readiness for what will be a significant transformation in mobility as it transitions to an all-electric future with GM’s Factory ZERO EV.
