GM invests in flexibility at Tennessee engine plant

Spring Hill - General Motors (GM) announced on Wednesday that it was investing nearly half a billion dollars in a state-of-the-art plant that will produce high-quality, fuel-efficient, four-cylinder engines.

“This state-of-the-art engine plant builds on GM’s Spring Hill Manufacturing’s reputation for producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, four-cylinder engines,” said GM Manufacturing Manager Arvin Jones. The $460-million Spring Hill Manufacturing facility will produce a new Ecotec 2.5-litre engine which is set to debut in the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. “The Ecotec 2.5L direct injection engine is more fuel efficient that the previous 2.4L engine, has 16 per cent more horsepower and the engine’s noise intensity has been reduced by 40 per cent,” said Ken Knight, Spring Hill Complex manager. “The combination of fuel efficiency and power of the Ecotec 2.5L engine in the 2013 Malibu make this a great value for customers.” The plant’s flexible manufacturing allows for high-quality production and quick changeovers from one engine to another. The plant features a new concrete floor that led to the recycling of 250 million pounds of clean, crushed concrete from the old floor used to support area road construction projects. The plant also features high-efficiency lightning that could save the facility as much as $800,000 each year. General Motors hopes to “create or retain” 450 jobs within the plant. Spring Hill Manufacturing currently employs 188 workers.