GM To Build New, Small Cadillac In Lansing

General Motors has announced plans to invest big bucks to build its new Cadillac small car in Lansing.  The automaker says it will drop $190 million add 600 jobs and a second shift to produce the vehicle at its Lansing Grand River plant.

"[It's] a new, an all new, built from the ground up small luxury car for the flagship Cadillac brand," said GM CEO Dan Akerson. 

Akerson said a lot of money will be coming into this region, to the state and into Cadillac showrooms along with this product.

Senator Karl Levin joined Governor Jeniffer Granholm and other local leaders as they shut down the assembly line at the plant, Thursday, for the big  annoucement.

"Manufacturing's back in this country. We're roaring back. We understand the partnership between govrnment and industry is critical like it is in others countries and it's making a big difference," said Senator Levin said.  

Also in attendance was Lansing mayor and gubonatorial candidate Virg Bernero, who is taking credit for creating some of those 600 jobs.

 Lansing Grand River was built in 2001 and is GM's second-newest U.S. assembly plant. The plant makes Cadillac CTS and STS as well as their V-series performance versions.

(Copyright 2010 WWJ Radio.  All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)