GM to build hybrids at its Traverse plant in Lansing

General Motors, long the US automaker most committed to going straight from petrol to battery-electric, is making room for hybrids. The company said on 27 October that it plans to invest in Lansing Delta Township Assembly in Michigan and prepare the plant for future hybrid-electric vehicle production, according to GM's announcement.

What GM confirmed

• The plant currently builds three petrol three-row SUVs: the Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia.
• It had a record 2025, building more than 291,000 vehicles, and celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
• GM's total investment in the Lansing region will exceed $2 billion over the next several years. That figure includes a previously announced $1.25 billion for the separate Lansing Grand River Assembly plant.
• GM and the US Department of Energy are restructuring a previously awarded Domestic Manufacturing Conversion Grant so the money goes to Lansing Delta Township for hybrid production.

GM did not say which models will become hybrids or when production starts; it says details will come closer to launch. TechCrunch notes that Reuters, citing unnamed sources, reported hybrid versions of the Traverse, Enclave and Acadia, while insiders told TechCrunch to expect hybrids across several brands. Treat the model list as a report, not a confirmation.

Why GM is changing course

According to TechCrunch, GM had largely skipped conventional hybrids in favour of EVs; its main example was the Corvette E-Ray. With the US federal EV tax credit gone and EV demand slower than planned, rivals with big hybrid line-ups — Toyota, Honda and Ford — have been gaining. GM still sells EVs such as the Equinox EV, Blazer EV and Escalade IQ.

What it means for buyers

A hybrid Traverse-sized SUV would give families a three-row option that uses less fuel without needing home charging. If you are weighing your options today, our comparison of hybrid vs plug-in hybrid vs EV explains the trade-offs, and our guide to LFP vs NMC batteries helps if you are leaning towards a full EV. Ford is going the other way at the low end with an affordable EV that can back up a home — see our story on the Ford Fathom's home backup power costs.