General Motors Co. plans to invest $71 million in two of its manufacturing facilities in Ohio, the carmaker said Sept. 28.

The company will allocate $39 million of the funds to improve the production of its eight-speed, rear-wheel-drive transmission at its Toledo plant.

Meanwhile, it will spend $32 million to prepare its Defiance casting plant in the state for future engine casting components work.

General Motors said the investments will allow the company to retain 240 manufacturing jobs, and that work will begin immediately at the two locations.

In the same release, the automaker said the construction of its battery-cell facility in Lordstown, Ohio, is underway. The battery-cell manufacturing plant is part of General Motors' Ultium Cells LLC joint venture with LG Chem Ltd., and is expected to create over 1,100 jobs.