GM invests $69 million in Ohio diesel engine plant

Our Corporate Bureau
06 February 2008

Dayton, Ohio: General Motors, today, announced an investment of $69 million in its joint venture with Isuzu Motors Limited, the DMAX plant in Moraine, to manufacture a new Duramax 6.6-litre V-8 turbo diesel engine that will meet stringent emissions standards in 2010. DMAX was established as a diesel engine company in 1998, with GM owning a 60 per cent stake and Isuzu having the rest.

The investment includes renovations to the plant, new machinery and tooling to support manufacturing of the new diesel engine. Renovations are expected to begin immediately. As a result of the investment, the DMAX plant will retain over 1,000 jobs.

"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," said John Buttermore, GM Powertrain Vice President, Global Manufacturing.

"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," Buttermore added.

The investment raises GM's investments in the US state of Ohio to more than $1 billion over the last two years.

The 2010 model year 6.6-litre V-8 Duramax diesel 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.