Tonawanda, NY … General Motors announced today it will invest nearly $300 million in GM Powertrain's Tonawanda Engine plant to produce new engines being added to its high-value V-6 engine family. Plans for these additional engines were announced last October, beginning with the 3.5 L V6 introduced in the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. Today's announcement involves production plans for the largest engine planned, a 3.9 L V6 to be offered in future GM vehicles beginning in the 2006 MY.

This new product program will preserve approximately 720 hourly and salaried jobs at the plant, which employs 3,000 hourly and 340 salaried employees making a variety of GM engines. The $300 million investment includes facility upgrades, tooling and the purchase of new equipment to enable production flexibility to produce 3.5 liter and 3.9 liter engines in a single plant. Installation of machinery and equipment will begin during the third quarter of 2003, with completion expected during the fourth quarter of 2004.

The new engines feature an advanced powertrain control module, improved fuel injection system, a redesigned exhaust manifold and a new catalytic converter which contribute to reduced emissions and improved efficiency and performance characteristics. Previous information released by GM indicates the 3.9 L V6 could produce up to 240 hp / 179 kW, as much as the supercharged 3800 Series II. Improvements in cooling, sealing and the accessory drive system add to the overall quality, reliability and durability. Displacement on Demand technology for the OHV V6s will be introduced in the 2005 calendar year and will help to increase fuel efficiency about 8 percent. Future upgrades announced for GM's OHV engines include an increase to 3-valves per cylinder, as previewed on the Global XV8 concept.