In an effort to make its vehicles more fuel efficient, General Motors (GM) is willing to splash the cash by investing more than $494million in three US plants that will produce its next generation of petrol direct-injection Ecotec engines.
The investment will be split as follows:
- $425million to add capacity for the next generation Ecotec engine at 370,000 per year at the Tonawanda plant.
- $59million to support precision sand cast block at a capacity of 188,000 annually at Defiance.
- $10.5million in Bay City to bring the new product to the plant.
The investments will be used to support new machinery, special tooling and facility renovation.
Currently, there are no specifics available about the engine’s capabilities – they are expected to be released in the coming months. However, it is expected to be a significant upgrade on the current Ecotec 2.4l with direct injection and variable valve timing that has already been recognised as one of the world’s best engines.
