Indiana Company Lands Hybrid Van Contract

MISHAWAKA, Ind. (AP) — The northern Indiana factory where AM General once made H2 Hummers could soon be building plug-in, hybrid cargo vans. Anderson-based Bright Automotive announced Friday it had signed an agreement for AM General to start building its Idea work van in 2013 or 2014 at the Mishawaka (mish-ah-WAH'-kuh) factory.

MISHAWAKA, Ind. (AP) — The northern Indiana factory where AM General once made H2 Hummers could soon be building plug-in, hybrid cargo vans.

Anderson-based Bright Automotive announced Friday it had signed an agreement for AM General to start building its Idea work van in 2013 or 2014 at the Mishawaka (mish-ah-WAH'-kuh) factory.

Company chief operating officer Mike Donoughe tells the South Bend Tribune (http://bit.ly/tZg1oZ ) that up to 300 workers could ultimately be hired to build the van.

Bright Automotive is seeking a federal loan to finance the start of production.

Donoughe says the startup company has been in the loan process for "quite a long time" but that he's confident the vehicle will be built.

AM General announced last month it was laying off about 350 workers because of reduced demand for military Humvees.

More