General Motors announced on Thursday that it will invest $ 100 million in two of its US plants to increase production of 10-speed automatic transmissions found in two of its popular pickups.

The company is allocating $ 93 million for its plant in Romulus, Michigan, which will increase “processing capacity,” according to a statement. It is also investing $ 7 million in a plant in Bedford, Indiana, for increased pressure casting capacity.

The investment is intended to increase production of the transmissions used for its Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light pickups, the company said.

“Demand for our Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups continues to be very strong and we are taking steps to increase the availability of our trucks to our dealers and customers,” Phil Kienle, GM North American Vice President of Manufacturing and Relations, said in -a statement.

The Michigan plant is building V-6 engines and 10-speed transmissions for GM Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles, the company said, while Indiana’s die-cast aluminum plant produces transmission housings, converter housings, heads and small blocks for gas engines. .

Investments are taking place amid temporary shutdowns at three of General Motors’ assembly plants until mid-March due to a global shortage of semiconductor chips. The closures are meant to provide the company with enough chips to produce its most profitable vans and SUVs.

World carmakers are expected to lose sales of about $ 60 billion this year due to the deficit. Chips are used for areas ranging from infotainment systems to more traditional parts, such as power steering. They are also used in consumer electronics.

The affected plants are in Kansas; Ontario, Canada; and San Luis Potosi, Mexico. They produce the Chevrolet Malibu and Buick Encore sedan, Cadillac XT4, GMC Terrain and the Chevy Equinox and Trax crossovers.

– CNBC Mike Wayland contributed to this report.

General Motors announced on Thursday that it will invest $ 100 million in two of its US plants to increase production of 10-speed automatic transmissions found in two of its popular pickups.

The company is allocating $ 93 million for its plant in Romulus, Michigan, which will increase “processing capacity,” according to a statement. It is also investing $ 7 million in a plant in Bedford, Indiana, to increase pressure casting capacity.

The investment is intended to increase production of the transmissions used for its Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light pickups, the company said.

“Demand for our Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups continues to be very strong and we are taking steps to increase the availability of our trucks to our dealers and customers,” Phil Kienle, GM North American Vice President of Manufacturing and Relations, said in -a statement.

The Michigan plant is building V-6 engines and 10-speed transmissions for GM Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles, the company said, while Indiana’s die-cast aluminum plant produces transmission housings, converter housings, heads and small blocks for gas engines. .

Investments are taking place amid temporary shutdowns at three of General Motors’ assembly plants until mid-March due to a global shortage of semiconductor chips. The closures are meant to provide the company with enough chips to produce its most profitable vans and SUVs.

World carmakers are expected to lose sales of about $ 60 billion this year due to the deficit. Chips are used for areas ranging from infotainment systems to more traditional parts, such as power steering. They are also used in consumer electronics.

The affected plants are in Kansas; Ontario, Canada; and San Luis Potosi, Mexico. They produce the Chevrolet Malibu and Buick Encore sedan, Cadillac XT4, GMC Terrain and the Chevy Equinox and Trax crossovers.

– CNBC Mike Wayland contributed to this report.