STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY FOLLOWING GROUNDBREAKING AT GM POWERTRAIN BALTIMORE

WHITE MARSH, MD (May 17, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement today following the groundbreaking at GM’s Powertrain Baltimore, making GM the first U.S. automaker to develop and manufacture electric motors for plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles. In January 2010, GM announced that it would build a manufacturing facility at the existing White Marsh plant to manufacture its Global Rear Wheel Drive motors for GM electric cars.  Through an innovative public-private partnership, the new facility is expected to create approximately 190 jobs.

“Maryland is a national leader of discovery and innovation. It is fitting that traditional manufacturers like GM would choose Maryland to embrace the new technologies that will move our economy forward and create jobs. 

“We are proud to be home to the GM Baltimore Transmission Plant, the first to produce these engines of the future to power the next generation of GM vehicles.  This new facility will not only help preserve our resources for generations to come, but it will save and create jobs for Maryland moms and dads, allowing our state and our children be winners in this new economy.”