How GM's Supply Chain Push Powers EV Growth

General Motors (GM) is charging ahead into 2025 with a clear focus on supply chain resilience, job creation and the future of electrification.

In his blog, ‘GM Drives America: How We’re Creating Jobs by Investing in Manufacturing’, Jeff Morrison, GM’s SVP of Global Purchasing and Supply Chain, reflects on the manufacturer’s evolving strategy.

Central to this is GM’s commitment to expanding battery innovation, both in the US and beyond, while addressing the challenges tied to EV materials.

Jeff highlights GM’s dual focus: driving growth in EV technology while continuing to support petrol and diesel-powered vehicles. “We’re committed to innovation across both EVs and petrol-powered vehicles,” he explains.

This balanced approach sees GM strengthening its supply chain partnerships to foster industry progress, create jobs and deliver greater value to customers across the country.

Over the past five years, GM has outpaced all other American automakers in capital investments related to battery manufacturing and infrastructure. The impact is clear—US EV sales surged by 50% in 2024 and GM’s domestic EV market share has doubled.

Yet, Jeff is quick to stress that while EVs present significant opportunities, GM remains firmly dedicated to its traditional vehicle lines.

This dual commitment has driven the company to take a hard look at its supply chain strategy and workforce development, ensuring both are equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly changing industry.

Overcoming EV material challenges

GM’s role in the American automotive landscape is substantial. With around 90,000 employees in the US, the company generates US$12bn annually in taxable wages, playing a key part in local economic development.

Since 2014, GM has invested more than US$35bn in its US facilities, demonstrating a long-term commitment to domestic manufacturing.

The company’s focus on workforce development is equally strong. GM runs apprenticeship programmes across nearly all of its 30-plus manufacturing sites—more than any other automaker in the country. These programmes are not just about filling jobs but creating sustainable careers that align with the future of the automotive industry.

A recent report from Atlas Public Policy and the BlueGreen Alliance Foundation highlights the scale of the EV transition, noting that the auto industry has invested US$209bn in domestic EV manufacturing between 2000 and September 2024, generating an estimated 240,000 new jobs.

GM has been a major driver of this growth, investing US$17.6bn in EV infrastructure alone—more than any other domestic automaker, including Ford, Stellantis, Rivian and Tesla.

Despite these achievements, challenges remain, particularly in securing critical materials needed for EV production.

Jeff acknowledges this head-on, explaining that GM is focused on strengthening access to North American raw materials for battery production. This includes ramping up recycling initiatives to reduce reliance on finite resources and building a more resilient supply chain for key components such as lithium, cathode active materials, battery cells and magnets.

“Through continuing our EV journey and investing in American manufacturing, we’re creating new labour opportunities,” Jeff notes, highlighting how supply chain strategy directly supports job growth.

Key milestones in material supply

GM’s proactive approach to securing critical materials has already delivered significant milestones.

Jeff points to a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar agreement with Vianode, which will supply synthetic graphite anode materials starting in 2027. This is a key component in battery production, crucial for scaling EV manufacturing.

Another major development is GM’s joint venture with Lithium Americas to develop the largest known lithium resource in the US, located at Thacker Pass in Nevada. This project will be pivotal in reducing dependency on international supply chains for lithium, a core material in EV batteries.

GM is also making strides in rare earth materials, essential for electric motors. The company has supported the completion of MP Materials’ first rare earth metal, alloy and magnet manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas.

Production at this site is expected to begin in late 2025. In addition, GM supplier e-VAC Magnetics is breaking ground on a new magnet facility in Sumter, South Carolina, with operations set to start in early 2026.

These projects are more than just infrastructure investments—they represent GM’s strategy to build a robust, domestically sourced supply chain capable of supporting its long-term electrification goals. Jeff stresses that public policy plays a critical role in supporting such efforts.

He advocates for reforms, including streamlined permitting processes and incentives that encourage domestic manufacturing and supply chain investment.

“Policies like these are crucial to maintaining the US’s leadership in the future of mobility,” he argues.

As GM moves into 2025, its focus remains clear: advancing EV innovation, strengthening the US manufacturing workforce and building resilient supply chains.

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