Factory ZERO: Does that name sound like science fiction? It is General Motors’ first fully dedicated electric vehicle assembly plant. Located on the border of Detroit and Hamtramck Michigan, Factory ZERO is a launchpad. It is a launchpad for GM’s multi-brand all-electric vehicle strategy.
Factory ZERO wasn’t always Factory ZERO. The plant was built in 1985. It was formerly known as Detroit-Hamtramck. Over the years, it manufactured more than 3 million vehicles.
In 2020, the plant was rededicated. It became Factory ZERO. This transformation reflects GM’s vision. The vision is a world with zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion.
What vehicles does Factory ZERO produce? The GMC Hummer EV pickup and SUV roll off the line here. The Chevrolet Silverado EV WT is also made here. The upcoming GMC Sierra Denali and Cadillac Escalade IQ are coming soon. Factory ZERO assembles Ultium battery cells into modules and packs. These power a variety of vehicle designs.
Factory ZERO demonstrates GM’s commitment to sustainability. The plant sources 100 percent of its U.S. facilities with renewable energy by 2030. All DTE-supplied GM facilities in southeast Michigan will be powered by renewable energy by 2023. This includes Factory ZERO. The factory features a 30-kilowatt solar carport. It also has a 516-kilowatt solar array from DTE.
During the plant’s transition, concrete waste was repurposed. It created temporary roadways. Factory ZERO is a certified wildlife habitat site. It features pollinator grasslands and native-plant gardens. Monarchs foxes and turkeys call it home.
The internet of things transforms Factory ZERO. Connected devices deliver important benefits. They improve quality and safety. Robotics sensors and automated guided vehicles rely on connectivity. These deliver materials across the factory floor.
Factory ZERO was the first U.S. automotive plant to install Verizon’s 5G Ultra-Wideband technology. 5G’s benefits include reliability speed and scale. Its massive bandwidth manages thousands of devices. This supports emerging technologies at Factory ZERO.
But let’s step back further in time. Before GM, there was Dodge Main. This factory occupied 67 acres on the edge of Hamtramck. It started as a few buildings. It grew to 35 separate buildings including a foundry. The original plant was designed by Albert Kahn Associates. Smith Hinchman & Grylls replaced them in 1912. The Dodge brothers overbuilt the plant.
Dodge cared for its employees. The facility had a medical center and a security department. It also had a firefighting department. There was a welfare department and a machine shop called “the Playpen”.
By 1979 only 5200 hourly employees remained. That’s a fraction of the 36000 during the peak in the 1940s. The plant closed on January 4 1980.
In 1981 General Motors purchased the plant for $1. This aimed to build a new factory. The 362 acres also housed a large Polish community called Poletown. The GM facility included 4200 residents 1400 homes and several churches.
The acquisition led to protests and court battles. The Michigan Supreme Court ruled in favor of GM. Detroit Mayor Coleman Young supported GM. He sought new jobs and investments.
Today Factory ZERO stands as a testament to innovation. It is a symbol of Detroit’s resurgence. It represents a future of electric sustainable transportation. The plant received $2.7 billion of investment since 2013. This allowed the complete renovation of the 4.5 million-square-foot facility.
Cathy Staelgraeve is the plant director. She is a third-generation GM employee. She leads the mission of zero crashes zero emissions and zero congestion. Factory ZERO provides jobs to over 2000 employees.
The motto of Factory ZERO is more than just words. It is a commitment. It is a commitment to a better future for Detroit and the world.