SAIC-GM-Wuling Engine Plant Starts Operation

Photo: GM

Liuzhou, China - SAIC-GM-Wuling, GM's mini-vehicle joint venture in southwestern China, began production today at its new engine plant. The RMB 2 billion facility represents the largest new investment in the five-year history of SAIC-GM-Wuling.

Situated at the joint venture's main production base in Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the engine plant has an annual capacity of 300,000 engines. "It will enable SAIC-GM-Wuling to keep up with rising demand for our existing lineup of products. At the same time, it will shorten the development time for new models," said Thomas Drumgoole, Vice President and CFO of SAIC-GM-Wuling.

The engine plant utilizes much of the same technology, many of the same processes and the same design specifications as other GM engine plants around the world. Manufacturing procedures and production lines are based on global GM Powertrain standards.

SAIC-GM-Wuling is initially manufacturing a 1.2-liter double overhead cam gasoline engine that will power its new Wuling Hong Tu minivan.

"Like the plant itself, the engine was developed for SAIC-GM-Wuling leveraging GM Powertrain expertise," Drumgoole explained. "It sets a new benchmark for advanced engines with high power and small displacement by offering better fuel economy, power and peak torque while generating lower emissions."

The engine achieves 20 percent better fuel economy than some similar engines being produced in China. It complies with the advanced Euro III, Euro IV and Euro V emission standards as well as all domestic emission standards.