GM Confirms Cadillac SRX for Spring Hill, Adds Engine Investment to Site

General Motors confirms its Spring Hill, TN, manufacturing complex will become the site for production of the next-generation Cadillac SRX luxury CUV, as well as plans to invest an additional $185 million at the facility to build a new lineup of small gasoline engines.

GM previously announced plans to inject $350 million into the former Saturn complex to build the SRX and a second “midsize CUV,” which WardsAuto forecasts as the next GMC Acadia.

The next SRX will begin production in February 2016, shifting from its current home at Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. Output of the Acadia will start in April 2016, according to WardsAuto forecasts, moving from Delta Twp., MI, to Spring Hill.

Both the SRX and Acadia are expected to switch to an all-new, flexible Theta Lambda platform from the current 3-row Lambda architecture. Production of the Chevy Equinox CUV at Spring Hill is seen ceasing in December 2016.

GM also says today it has earmarked $48.4 million for its Bedford, IN, facility. Bedford will make castings for the new 4-cyl. powertrain.

“The new Ecotec engine family represents the most advanced and efficient small-displacement gasoline engines in GM’s history,” Arvin Jones, GM North America manufacturing manager, says in a statement. “It was a good business decision to produce this powertrain in Bedford and Spring Hill. Both teams have strong performance records, especially in quality.”

Spring Hill builds the current line of 4-cyl. gasoline direct injection Ecotec engines, which include a 2.0L turbocharged version, a 2.4L naturally aspirated model and a 2.5L naturally aspirated unit. Bedford presently makes transmission castings, converter housings and engine blocks.

The investments in Spring Hill and Bedford will create or retain 435 jobs, according to GM. The SRX and Acadia secured 1,800 positions at Spring Hill.

Spring Hill is among six manufacturing locations around the globe that will produce the new engines.

The future Ecotec lineup includes 11 engines with 3- and 4-cyl. variants, ranging in displacement from 1.0L to 1.5L. They will include naturally aspirated and turbo models with output ratings between 75 hp and 165 hp and torque numbers from 70 lb.-ft. (95 Nm) to 184 lb.-ft. (250 Nm).

The engines are expected to be used by five global GM brands and see installation in 27 models by the ’17 model year, including some of the automaker’s highest-volume cars and CUVs.

The Spring Hill facility continues its rebound from near-shutdown in 2009, when GM eliminated the Saturn brand from its portfolio as part of the automaker’s bankruptcy. The complex continued to make engines during GM’s restructuring and in 2011 the assembly plant restarted for short-term production of the Chevy Traverse large CUV.

The Traverse since has moved to Delta Twp. and was replaced in Spring Hill by the Equinox, a vehicle GM builds at three North American sites to keep up with demand.

[email protected]