Flint Engine Builds Millionth 1.4L Engine and Prepares Ecotec Engine Production

© General Motors

DURAND, Mich. – In August 2015, General Motors’ Flint Engine built its millionth 1.4L engine and is preparing for Ecotec engine production.

When the facility ends production of the 1.4L engine at the beginning of September, workers will transition to manufacturing the all-new Ecotec small gas engine. The Ecotec will be used in the Chevrolet Cruze and Volt, and full implementation is expected by year’s end.

GM began manufacturing the 1.4L engine for the Volt, Cruze, and Sonic in 2001, and Flint Engine became a key facility in that production after opening its doors in 2002. Now, GM is investing $200 million in upgrades to the plant in order to manufacture the new Ecotec.

GM will used eight engine plants, including Flint’s, in six countries to produce 2.5 million Ecotec engines a year by 2017. For now, Ecotec engines built at Flint Engine will go into the Volt and Cruze, but the engine is expected to become a global component eventually.

The launch of the Ecotec in 2013 catalyzed a team made of Flint Engine employees and GM engineers and employees from Michigan, Mexico, and Japan for the powertrain pre-production process. For months the team collaborated to develop the Ecotec engine that will begin production in early September 2015. 

Throughout the development phase of the Ecotec engine, construction crews installed equipment and readied the plant to transition production from the 1.4L engine. The crew is in the final phase of equipment installation, just in time for Flint Engine to build its millionth 1.4L engine and prepare for Ecotec engine production.

By year’s end, the first shipment of Ecotec engines will head to GM’s Lordstown, Ohio, assembly plant for the Chevrolet Cruze, and Volt production will begin later in 2016.

Despite ending 1.4L engine production, Flint Engine will continue to manufacture the 3.6L engine through its transition to the Ecotec engine. The facility builds the 3.6L engine for the Chevrolet Colorado and Traverse, GMC Canyon and Acadia, and Buick Enclave.

Once again, it’s great to see how much attention GM is paying to Flint. With a handful of engine facilities, the automaker could have gone anywhere else. But Flint seems to be the ideal location for GM, possibly for its layout, but perhaps also because the Vehicle City is home. All of the activity makes us proud to represent GM as a Flint area Chevy dealer with a variety of new Chevy cars and trucks.

Located at 9009 East Lansing Road Durand, MI 48429, Hank Graff Chevrolet Durand is revolutionizing the car buying experience. We provide all the transparency and customer service you need, while simultaneously making your purchase experience fun! Learn more about Hank Graff Chevrolet Durand, or for any questions contact us at (989) 288-2657 or visit our website at www.GraffChevyDurand.com!

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