GM invests $100 million for new clean diesel engine

Mumbai: General Motors Corp. will invest $100 million in an engine plant in Tonawanda, New York that will make new 4.5 litre V-8 engines for its North American pick-up trucks and the Hummer H2 sport utility vehicles built after 2009.

The new diesel engines meant for light-duty trucks will improve fuel efficiency by 25 per cent and reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by 13 per cent, GM said. The premium V-8 diesel is expected to deliver class-leading torque, power and refinement while maintaining a significant fuel efficiency advantage over comparable-output gasoline engines.

The new dual-overhead cam, four-valve V-8 diesel engine will fit within the same space of a small-block V-8 gasoline engine. This compact size is made possible by using integral cylinder head exhaust manifolds, integral cam cover intake manifolds and a narrow block.

GM is trying to improve its image and reverse sliding sales and slumping market share by shifting its product line-up to more fuel-efficient vehicles. "GM is transforming its product portfolio to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, and the 4.5 litre V-8 diesel is an integral part of that transformation," said John Buttermore, GM's Vice President, Global Powertrain, Manufacturing.

Production of the engine is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2009, GM said.

"It will meet the stringent 2010 emissions standards, and it will be compliant in all 50 states, making it one of the cleanest diesel vehicles ever produced," said Tom Stephens, GM's Vice President of Global Powertrain, Quality.

In addition to the $100 million investment in renovation, new machinery, equipment and special tooling, GM will invest an additional $41 million for vendor tooling, containers and investments at other locations to support this operation.

GM Powertrain's Tonawanda engine plant opened in 1938 and has produced nearly 68 million engines. The plant covers 3.1 million square feet and employs 1,565 hourly and 260 salaried employees, with an annual payroll of $200 million.

Currently, the Tonawanda engine plant builds the 2.2 litre Ecotec engine that powers the Chevrolet Cobalt and HHR; the Inline 4 and 5 cylinder engines that power the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon mid-size pickups and the HUMMER H3 SUV; the 3.5 and 3.9 litre high value V-6 engines for the Pontiac G6 and the Chevrolet Malibu and Impala; and the 8.1 litre big block V-8 engine that powers Chevrolet Kodiak and GMC TopKick medium-duty trucks - as well as marine and industrial applications.