- Ultium Cells investment will create 1,300 new jobs.
- Maury County facility will be the second Ultium Cells LLC battery cell manufacturing plant in the U.S..
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe today announced Ultium Cells LLC, a joint venture of LG Energy Solution and General Motors, will invest more than $2.3 billion to build its second battery cell manufacturing plant in the United States.
Located in Spring Hill, the project will create 1,300 new manufacturing jobs in Maury County.
Ultium Cells LLC will build the new 2.8-million-square-foot, state-of-the-art plant on land leased from General Motors. Construction will begin immediately, and the plant is scheduled to be open in late 2023. Once operational, the Ultium Cells plant will supply battery cells to GM’s Spring Hill assembly plant.
In October 2020, GM announced it would invest $2 billion in its Spring Hill assembly plant to begin the transition to become the company’s third electric vehicle manufacturing site, and the first outside of the state of Michigan. The all-new Cadillac LYRIQ will be the first electric vehicle produced at GM’s Spring Hill assembly plant. GM will also continue to produce the Cadillac XT6 and XT5 at the facility.
GM’s proprietary Ultium battery technology is at the heart of the company’s strategy to compete for nearly every EV customer in the marketplace, whether they are looking for affordable transportation, luxury vehicles, work trucks, commercial trucks or high-performance machines.
Ultium batteries are unique in the industry because the large-format, pouch-style cells can be stacked vertically or horizontally inside the battery pack. This allows engineers to optimize battery energy storage and layout for each vehicle design. Energy options range from 50 to 200 kilowatt hours, which could enable a GM-estimated range up to 450 miles or more on a full charge with 0-60 mph acceleration in 3 seconds*.
GM’s future Ultium-powered EVs are designed for Level 2 and DC fast charging. Most will have 400-volt battery packs and up to 200 kW fast charging capability while GM’s truck platform will have 800-volt battery packs and 350 kW fast charging capability.
With a 30-year history in the battery business, LG Energy Solution has made consistent, large-scale investments to accumulate enough stability, credibility and manufacturing experience to invent its own cutting-edge technologies. The company established its first research facility in the U.S. in the early 2000s. In 2010, the company built its first U.S battery plant in Holland, Michigan.
Through Ultium Cells, LG Energy Solution and GM will merge their advanced technologies and capabilities to help accelerate automotive electrification.
Tennessee claims nearly 40 percent of the Southeast’s electric vehicle manufacturing jobs and investment, with more than $4.2 billion invested by companies in Tennessee’s electric vehicle industry. In addition, more than 16,000 electric vehicles are produced in the state each year, which ranks Tennessee No. 1 in the Southeast for electric vehicle manufacturing.
QUOTES
“The decision to build this plant in Tennessee is a testament to our state’s position as a leader in the automotive industry. As automakers continue to shift production to electric vehicles, I am proud that Tennessee offers the business climate and skilled workforce to support their growth. I appreciate General Motors and LG Energy Solution for making this substantial investment in Spring Hill and for creating 1,300 new jobs for Tennesseans.” – Gov. Bill Lee
“The strength of Tennessee’s automotive industry is built upon decades of success of three OEMs and over 950 suppliers that call our state home. LG Energy Solution and General Motors are two highly successful global brands, and we are pleased they have chosen Tennessee for Ultium’s second U.S. electric battery cell plant. This enormous investment supports our efforts in advanced manufacturing and strengthens our position as the leader of the electric vehicle industry in the Southeast.” – TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe
“The addition of our second all-new Ultium battery cell plant in the U.S. with our joint venture partner LG Energy Solution is another major step in our transition to an all-electric future. The support of the state of Tennessee was an important factor in making this investment in Spring Hill possible and this type of support will be critical going forward as we will continue to take steps to transition our manufacturing footprint to support EV production.” – Mary Barra, GM chairman and CEO
“This partnership with General Motors will transform Tennessee into another key location for electric vehicle and battery production. It will allow us to build solid and stable U.S-based supply chains that enable everything from research, product development and production to the procurement of raw components. Importantly, I truly believe this coming together transcends a partnership as it marks a defining moment that will reduce emissions and help to accelerate the adoption of EVs.” – Jonghyun Kim, LG Energy Solution president and CEO
“A few months ago, I was privileged to work with our partners at General Motors and announce a historic $2 billion investment in Maury County which further solidified GM’s commitment to the future of EV technology and Maury County’s role as an economic driver in Tennessee. Today we stand together again with our partners at GM and our new partner LG Energy Solution to announce another multi-billion-dollar investment into Maury County. This investment is significant not only to Maury County and Tennessee but to North America as Ultium Cells will be at the forefront of EV technology innovation and production. This partnership not only continues our legacy as a leader in manufacturing and job growth, but once again positions Tennessee at the epicenter of innovation. We are excited about this partnership, and the leadership that Ultium Cells is taking in this rapidly evolving industry.” – Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles
“TVA is proud to support General Motors in its commitment to an all-electric future and congratulates LG Energy Solution and GM on the decision to locate the next Ultium Cells battery cell manufacturing plant in Spring Hill. The impactful investment and job creation will yield dividends for the region. We, along with our partners, Columbia Power and Water Systems, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Maury Alliance, Middle Tennessee Industrial Development Authority, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory celebrate this announcement and look forward to the company’s continued success in the Valley.” – John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development
*actual range will vary based on several factors, including temperature, terrain, battery age, vehicle model, loading, use and maintenance.
About General Motors
General Motors (NYSE:GM) is a global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible to all. At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium battery platform, which powers everything from mass-market to high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Baojun and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, can be found at https://www.gm.com.
About LG Energy Solution
LG Energy Solution is a global leading battery maker providing the best solutions within the energy sector for a better world. Based on our 30 years of R&D experience, we deliver the most advanced batteries that have been infused with cutting-edge technologies to EVs, Energy Storage Systems (ESS) and Mobility & IT applications across the world. LG Energy Solution’s Advanced Automotive Battery leads the market with its outstanding technologies and products. Home to the world’s first EV battery lineup, we provide the best battery solutions for EVs worldwide. For more information about LG Energy Solution, please visit https://www.lgensol.com.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies that help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. To grow and strengthen Tennessee, the department seeks to attract new corporate investment to the state and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.
Media Contacts
Matt Ybarra
Coordinator, Public Policy Communications
[email protected]
(313) 269-7219
Wonjae Yoo
LG Energy Solution PR Communication
[email protected]
82-10-4014-8827
Jennifer McEachern
TNECD Director of Communications and Marketing
[email protected]
(615) 336-2689
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