WARREN, MI—General Motors Co. plans to invest $70 million into its Tonawanda, NY, engine plant and more than $6 million in its Parma, OH, metal stamping plant. The investments are intended to support demand for GM’s Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups.

GREER, SC—Proterra Inc. is investing $76 million to build a new assembly plant here to make batteries for electric commercial vehicles, such as buses and delivery trucks. The 327,000 square foot factory is expected to employ more than 200 people over the next several years.

DANIELSON, CT—Spirol International Corp., a leading producer of coiled spring pins, slotted spring pins, disc springs, inserts, shims and other fastening components, has received the 2020 General Motors Supplier Quality Excellence Award.

DETROIT—Members of the United Auto Workers union have overwhelmingly approved picking their leaders by direct ballot elections, rejecting a system that many blamed for a bribery and embezzlement scandal in the union’s top ranks.

In February 2020, U.S. manufacturers employed nearly 12.8 million people. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic. In an instant, the country lost 1 million manufacturing jobs as governments and businesses scrambled to figure out how best to stop the spread of the disease.

CADILLAC, MI—BorgWarner Thermal Systems Inc., a manufacturer of thermal technology for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles, is expanding its assembly plant here. The $11.2 million project is expected to create 30 jobs.

LISLE, IL—U.S. truck maker Navistar International Corp. said Dec. 1 that the omicron variant of the coronavirus would likely slow the recovery in the global supply chain.