DETROIT -- General Motors will invest $109 million in its operations in Flint and Bay City, Mich., to support engine production for current and future fuel-efficient small cars produced for the U.S. market. The investment will protect or add 96 jobs at the two sites, the automaker says.

This investment marks the second major increase in engine and engine component output in less than six months. In November 2010, GM announced plans to invest $151 million and protect 143 jobs at the Flint and Bay City plants. This latest move is part of a $2 billion investment to create or retain more than 4,000 hourly and salaried jobs at 17 facilities in eight states.

Of the $109 million, $84 million will be used at Flint to increase 1.4-liter engine capacity. Bay City's investment of $25 million is for connecting rods and camshafts used in the engine.

Later this year, the 1.4-liter engine will be installed in the Chevrolet Sonic, which will be built at GM's assembly plant in Orion Township, Mich.