GM's new Flint engine plant called area catalyst for advanced technology

[Ming]

GM's new Flint engine plant called area catalyst
Robert Snell / The Detroit News



FLINT -- General Motors Corp.'s $370 million plant that will produce two new fuel-efficient engines -- including one for the Chevrolet Volt -- could be a catalyst to draw others to the area to research and develop advanced automotive technology.

The new plant, which was announced Thursday, also will build a separate engine for the Chevy Cruze small car and could spur millions in additional investment as automotive scientists, researchers and competitors hurry to open nearby.

"It's a natural fit that these jobs come to the region," said Scott Watkins, a technology expert with Anderson Economic Group LLC. "This is exactly the type of investment Michigan should be attracting."

UAW Vice President Cal Rapson, who attended Thursday's announcement in Flint, said he hopes suppliers and others will move into the region to be near the exclusive North American home of the Volt engine. And if the Volt is successful, more jobs could be coming.

"Depending on how it goes, it could be up to 700 jobs" at the Flint plant, he said.

GM is receiving more than $265 million in tax incentives from the state and local governments to build the Volt. Flint is providing tax breaks including a 100 percent abatement of personal property taxes through 2033, as well as other incentives. The once-thriving company town has lost about 50,000 GM jobs since the automaker's heyday, but the Volt is expected to play a key role in the automaker's future.

"GM is here to stay and today we celebrate the latest evidence," Wagoner said to a crowd in Flint that included Gov. Jennifer Granholm, local officials, GM executives and workers from UAW Local 599.

The new Flint plant will produce a 1.4-liter turbo engine for the Cruze that will debut next year and get about 40 miles per gallon, and a 1.4-liter naturally aspirated engine for the Volt.

GM will start building the 552,000-square-foot plant next month with production starting in 2010. The investment is expected to retain about 300 hourly jobs. About 6,000 workers are employed today at five GM facilities in Flint.

Full Article: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...809260338/1148

[WishIhadatruck]

Good for Flint, hopefully more mfg. business moves back into town.

This is the first I had ever heard (that I remember) that the Volt will have a naturally aspirated engine, I knew it was the 1.4L. Makes sense, it doesn't really need the higher peak power of the turbo motor.

[YupYupYup]

Flint needs it...Boy-o-boy...

[YupYupYup]

The Cruze in that pic looks hot...The devil is in the details...

[smithrobs]

We have the King of Sweeden in town today too. They are "Ground Breaking" for a new BioGas (turds to bus fuel) plant at the sewage treatment plant.

The new engine plant made it onto Lou Dobbs (CNN) last night as well, with a live report from the site, but they focused on the 13% local unemployment rate instead of the plant.

Flint Engine North (3800 V6) closed a month ago, so I don't see any net gain in jobs once the new plant opens; unless they all retired.

[Beau]

I'm hoping that the 1.4 NA motor in the volt will be DI, that could make it very efficent.

[MCGARRETT]

They do make the 3.6 DOHC V6 in Flint still right?

[benroethig]

Originally Posted by Beau

I'm hoping that the 1.4 NA motor in the volt will be DI, that could make it very efficent.

Very likely. The turbo variant is.

[smithrobs]

Originally Posted by MCGARRETT

They do make the 3.6 DOHC V6 in Flint still right?

Yes, right next door to the site of the new plant. The V6 plant also builds Atlas inline motors as well.

[WishIhadatruck]

Originally Posted by benroethig

Very likely. The turbo variant is.

Apparently not. They decided to go with port fuel injection.

Technical analysis of GM's 1.4L engine

[Buick Riviera]

Seems all of them won't have but some will. DI wil be there.

[WishIhadatruck]

Maybe the naturally aspirated Volt engine is DI? That might make sense even if the turbo motor for the less expensive cruze isn't. The Volt needs to be as absolutely efficient as possible.

[GM-Joe]

Direct Injection won't occur in the turbo, initially, possibly after a few years. We know GM, they never put everything on the plate, they always save a little for desert.

[Rocket 88]

Originally Posted by smithrobs

We have the King of Sweeden in town today too. They are "Ground Breaking" for a new BioGas (turds to bus fuel) plant at the sewage treatment plant.

Apparently John McCain rushed to Flint and was able to broker deals with both GM and the King of Sweden. Way to go John! Now back to Washington to get that $ 700 Billion bailout done.

In related news, Al Gore was seen naked outside the Ren Center claiming to have invented the internal combustion engine and turds.