Oklahoma City is A-OK for GM

General Motors Corp. plans to spend $1.7 billion on manufacturing operations in Oklahoma City and Lansing, MI. In Oklahoma City, the automaker confirms plans to convert the plant from car to truck output. It will invest $700 million in the facility and in 2002 begin building GMT370s - a stretched version of the forthcoming GMT360 midsize sport/utility vehicles featuring a Dodge Durango-like third row of seats. Chevy Malibu production will be stopped at Oklahoma City by early 2001. Malibu output will begin later this year in Lansing, alongside the Olds Alero and Pontiac Grand Am. A union source confirms Lansing has been running Malibu pilot production. Eventually, Malibu/Alero/Grand Am likely will be built at a $1 billion complex the automaker has planned for Lansing.