Detroit-based GM said in a statement that employees were notified last week about the decision, which will affect about 100 hourly and 60 salaried employees.

The new Bolt is just the last in a long legacy of electric vehicles and commuter cars from General Motors.

The money will pay for new, high-tech equipment at the 60-year-old facility where the company employs about 1,400 people, supplying metal parts for GM vehicles across North America.

Welburn led North American design from 2003 and globally since 2005 - the first GM designer with global responsibility, and the automaker's first African American design chief.

Barra spent the past two years as CEO dealing with the ignition switch recall and launching a slew of desirable products that were created either during her tenure as CEO or her previous role as head of product development.

General Motors is recalling more than 196,000 Hummer SUVs worldwide because the ventilation fan motor controls can overheat and start a fire.