© 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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