GM plans US$1b US investment in latest bow to Trump

Southfield, Michigan

GENERAL Motors Co (GM) announced a US$1 billion US investment plan involving new models and plant updates long in the works, becoming the latest carmaker to answer to pressure from President-elect Donald Trump to create jobs.

The nation's top carmaker will add or retain about 7,000 salaried and hourly workers, including almost 2,000 in domestic factories, spokesman Pat Morrissey said. Made days after Mr Trump urged GM to follow Ford Motor Co and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV in detailing US spending plans, the announcement includes product updates, manufacturing changes and a lending expansion all decided before Mr Trump's public appeals to invest.

Earlier on Tuesday, South Korea's Hyundai Motor Co and Kia Motors Corp said that they'll increase US investment over the next five years and consider building a new plant in the country. Mr Trump praised Ford and Fiat Chrysler last week for plans to spend on US factories after threatening for months to slap Mexico-built vehicles with…