Editor's note: This story is part of the WardsAuto digital archive, which may include content that was first published in print, or in different web layouts.
General Motors today reveals plans to invest $332 million across four U.S. manufacturing sites to meet tightening federal fuel-economy standards with all-new powertrains, including gasoline engines with displacements potentially as low as 1.0L and an 8-speed transmission due in 2016.
The investment will occur at GM sites in Flint, Romulus and Bay City, MI; Bedford, IN; and Toledo, OH.
In addition to the small gasoline engine and 8-speed transmission programs, the outlay also will fund production of a new V-6 engine yet to be detailed and increase output of an existing 6-speed gearbox.
Details on the 8-speed transmission firm up a due date on the fuel-saving gearbox, which was expected earlier. GM says the fuel-saving automatic will appear in “numerous” vehicles by the end of 2016.
GM will need the new powertrain technologies to meet tightening fuel-economy standards reaching 35.5 mpg (6.6 L/100 km) in 2017. U.S. standards will get stricter after 2017, with auto maker fleets required to reach a combined 54.5 mpg (4.3 L/100 km) by 2025.
The auto maker’s fleet currently ranks 14th among 20 U.S. sellers, according to WardsAuto data.
“We are investing in technologies and manufacturing capabilities that produce high-quality, fuel-efficient vehicles and components for our customers,” Diana Tremblay, vice president-North American Manufacturing at GM, says in statement announcing the investment.
GM says the new small gasoline Ecotec engine is part of a family of 3- and 4-cyl. variants with displacement ranging between 1.0L and 1.5L with worldwide production expected to reach 2 million annually by the end of the decade.
