GM Holden to Export Engines to China for Buick Park Avenue

GM Holden Ltd. will export its global V-6 engine to China, where it will be mated to the new Buick Park Avenue sedan being built by Shanghai General Motors Automotive Co. Ltd.

The auto maker says the export program is expected to be worth several hundred million dollars over the next few years.

The Buick Park Avenue, recently unveiled in Shanghai, will be fitted with either a 250-hp 3.6L V-6 engine or 201-hp 2.8L V-6 mill sourced from GM Holden’s engine facility in Victoria.

“Our engine export program generated over A$570 million ($619 million) in revenue in 2006 alone and this will be a further boost to this key area of our business,” GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director Denny Mooney says.

“With these engine exports to Shanghai GM, our engine plant in Victoria is supplying customers in markets as diverse as Italy, South Korea, Germany, Thailand, South Africa, Sweden and China.”

Park Avenue’s navigation system contains data for more than 300 Chinese cities.

The Park Avenue, to be built at Shanghai GM’s Jinqiao plant, is the first vehicle to go into production outside of Australia using GM’s global rear-wheel-drive (Zeta) architecture.

The sedan’s exterior is based on the Holden Statesman, while the interior is completely redesigned for the Chinese market.

Five Park Avenue variants will be available: the 3.6L Flagship, RMB498,800 ($64,656); 3.6L Elite, RMB388,800 ($50,236); 2.8L Luxury, RMB458,800 ($50,387); 2.8L Elite, RMB368,800 ($47,738); and 2.8L Comfort, RMB328,800 ($42,560).

The Park Avenue measures 203.7 ins. (517.4 cm) in length, 74.8 ins. (190 cm) in width and 68.3 ins. (173.5 cm) in height and has a 118.5 ins. (301 cm) wheelbase. Its navigation system contains data for more than 300 Chinese cities.