General Motors announced Friday it is investing $55 million dollars in its foundry plant in Defiance. The investment will plan for the continued use of internal combustible engines now, as well as electronic vehicle engines in the future. The block castings investment will support future V-8 engine programs. The announcement is part of a $918 million dollar investment GM is making in four U.S. manufacturing sites. It also coincides with this year being the 75th anniversary of the Defiance foundry, as well as the bicentennial for the City of Defiance. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur was also on hand, and said the investment was particularly special to her. She called back to the difficulties the auto industry has had over the years, including the oil embargo of the late 1970s that resulted in 19% unemployment in the industry, and the Great Recession in 2008.