A message from Mary Barra, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Company

Two years ago, General Motors announced our belief in an all-electric and zero-emissions future. Vehicles like the Chevrolet Bolt EV, the industry’s first long-range, affordable electric vehicle, have given us a glimpse into what’s possible.

And today, we are taking another significant step toward that all-electric future.

General Motors and LG Chem are establishing a new, equally-owned joint venture to mass-produce battery cells in the U.S. for future battery electric vehicles. The battery is the most expensive component in an electric vehicle; by combining forces and our collective expertise in battery science, our goal is to reduce battery costs significantly -- to industry-leading levels.

The joint venture will supply cells for our all-new, future battery electric trucks as well as other vehicles from our next-generation battery electric vehicle architecture. Ours is a long-lead industry and, having accelerated our product planning and production processes, we are preparing to introduce a much greater range of EV options that truly alters our product portfolio.

In the process, we expect to create more than 1,100 new jobs when we break ground next year on a highly technical plant in Northeast Ohio. When operations begin, the facility is expected to have an annual capacity of more than 30 gigawatt hours, making it one of the world’s largest battery cell producers, with flexibility for expansion.

The opportunity ahead, and the potential benefit, is too great to go it alone. Aligning with like-minded partners, we are bringing the skills and resources to ensure that clean, electric vehicles will prevail – reimagined, fun to drive, better for the environment and with efficiency and economics that prove their worth.

We recognize that our portfolio is only one piece of the solution toward a zero-emissions future. Our approach to EV adoption is holistic, and we are moving fast. We have robust plans to enhance charging infrastructure, reduce charging times, and support stronger EV public policy to enhance convenience and the overall EV experience for our customers.