General Motors says it will open a new plant to assemble battery packs for the soon-to-be released Chevy Volt, the company’s new rechargeable electric car. The media blitz for the Volt began on Tuesday, focusing on the car’s projected gas mileage (230 miles per gallon on city streets) and downplaying the car’s hefty price tag ($40,000).

GM plans to open the battery plant in Wayne County, Michigan; it’s expected to create 100 new jobs in the economically struggling county. We talk to New York Times auto industry reporter Nick Bunkley and Wayne County executive Robert Ficano about new cars and new jobs.