General Motors (GM) has announced it is planning a major recruitment drive in the US that will expand its workforce.

The Detroit-based automotive giant is seeking workers in eight states of the country and is planning to invest over $2 million in upgrading 17 plants.

Chairman Dan Akerson made the announcement at the GM transmission facility in Toledo, declaring the move will protect or create 4,000 positions.

Speaking at a news conference at the factory in Ohio, he explained: "We are doing this because we are confident about demand for our vehicles and the economy."

Up to 2,000 of the new roles could emerge at the Chevy Volt factory in Detroit, with full details of the hiring program set to be revealed over the coming months.

On its website, GM claims to sell more than 7.5 million vehicles in over 120 countries around the world. It filed for bankruptcy in 2009 and was bailed out by a government emergency funding package worth more than $50 million.

Posted by Fiona Summers