GM to Invest $69 Million in Engine Plant

General Motors Corp. has outlined a $69-million investment at its DMAX Moraine (OH) Engine plant, in preparation for producing the new Duramax 6.6-liter V-8 turbo diesel engine. DMAX is a GM joint venture (60%) with Isuzu Motors Ltd. (40%), established in 1998. Isuzu developed the Duramax engine, which has been in production at the Moraine plant since 2006. The new Duramax V-8 turbo diesel is planned to meet EPA emissions standards that take effect in 2010. According to GM, it will use a selective, catalytic reduction NOx after-treatment system with a diesel particulate filter to help achieve the 2010 Tier 2 Bin 5 and LEV 2 emissions standards, and it will be compliant in all 50 states. The investment includes plant renovations, new machinery, and tooling for manufacturing of the new diesel engine. GM indicated the updates would begin immediately. "GM is committed to continuing to reduce fuel consumption and emissions across its portfolio and around the world. The 2010 Duramax diesel is an integral part of that transformation, as well as a component of GM's strategy to diversify vehicle energy sources," stated GM Powertrain v.p. – global manufacturing, John Buttermore. "This new investment demonstrates GM's commitment to continue to invest in technologies that reduce the impact of our vehicles on the environment, while maintaining performance attributes required by customers in the areas of towing and hauling loads."