Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant: All Chevrolet, All the Time detroit

The 3.6-million-square-foot plant, which opened in 1985, is situated in Detroit bordering the city of Hamtramck, about three miles from GM World Headquarters. Until recently it produced full-size Buick Lucernes, Cadillac sedans, Cadillac limousines (including the one used by President Barack Obama), hearses and even the pink Cadillacs driven by Mary Kay cosmetics consultants. The last Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS sedans rolled off the assembly line earlier this year.

GM invested $336 million in the plant to build the Volt. Since April 2010, GM has invested an additional $190 million to support Malibu and Impala production.

Environmental initiatives  

In addition to producing the world’s first extended-range electric vehicle, the plant received a Michigan Clean Corporate Citizen Award for exemplary environmental performance and stewardship. For several years, the plant has been home to a 16.5-acre wildlife habitat conservation area that has received recognition and certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council.    

Additional green renovations include a walkway to the visitors’ lobby that features less concrete. A lightning bolt design motif trimmed by a rain garden filters rainwater as it drains from the walkway.   

A 20kW solar carport that houses 12 charging stations was recently completed in the visitors’ parking lot for Volt owners to use while visiting the plant. GM and the plant have also partnered with a local utility to construct a 500kW solar array that is just over seven acres and located in what was a section of an employee parking lot.

Products built at the plant have received many awards, including a 2011 J.D. Power VDS Segment Leaders (Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS) and these 2011 model year awards for the Chevrolet Volt: North American Car of the Year, Green Car of the Year, Car and Driver 10Best, Popular Mechanics Top Ten “Technical Innovation,” J.D. Power APPEAL Award, Motor Trend Car of the Year and Automobile Magazine Car of the Year.

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