RENEE MONTAGNE, host:
General Motors says it's investing $2 billion in 17 American factories. This comes after the company announced its fifth straight quarterly profit since emerging from bankruptcy.
Michigan Radio's Tracy Samilton reports the new investment could mean new jobs.
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TRACY SAMILTON: So the rock music blasting at GM's Toledo Transmission plant isn't exactly "Happy Days Are Here Again."�But Matt Jaworskis feeling pretty happy.�Hes only a temp worker, but hes got no complaints.
Mr. MATT JAWORSKI (General Motors): Things arent the greatest out there, these days, for jobs, so when you get an opportunity like this, you got to take it, he says
SAMILTON: Elizabeth Sammut says it was really depressing when GM went bankrupt two years ago, and early this year she got laid off. But she's been rehired at Toledo where GM is investing $200 million to build a new fuel-efficient eight speed transmission.
Ms. ELIZABETH SAMMUT (General Motors): I have a whole new outlook and its just totally changed my mood, and I think a lot of peoples moods, too.
SAMILTON: GM CEO Dan Akerson is happy too, though he cautions the company has a long way to go. When asked about the upcoming contract talks with the UAW, he says the once bitter relationship between the two sides has changed.
Mr. DAN AKERSON (CEO, GM): Neither one of us want to be considered bad management, or greedy union, or greedy management, bad union.
SAMILTON: Thats not to say there wont be some fights. Like whether GM should make more of its�temp workers permanent. But for now, both sides are emphasizing the positives: new transmissions, new jobs and a profitable American car company.
For NPR News, I'm Tracy Samilton in Ann Arbor. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.