GM Tonawanda Engine begins production for new 4-cylinder Ecotecs

22 June 2012

The General Motors Tonawanda Engine plant has begun production of the technology that will go into the next-generation Ecotec 4-cylinder engines (2.5L and 2.0L turbo) that will power the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu and 2013 Cadillac ATS. GM invested $425 million in the plant to add capacity for the new engines. (Earlier post.)

Tonawanda features flexible manufacturing systems that will enable high-quality production and quick changeovers from one engine product to another.

Tonawanda currently produces the Inline 4 (4-cyl.) – 2.9L and Inline 5 (5-cyl.) – 3.7L engines found in the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups and the Ecotec 2.4L (4-cyl.) engines found in the Chevrolet Malibu and for China and Korea applications. In February 2010 the plant was awarded a $425 million investment for the Ecotec 2.0L/2.5L (4-cyl.) engine that will be used in the next generation Chevrolet Malibu and the Cadillac ATS, and a $400 million investment awarded in April 2010 to build an all-new V8 engine for pickup trucks.

From 650 employees a year ago with 130 on permanent layoff, Tonawanda has brought back all laid-off workers and added 54 additional jobs, 21 from GM Components Holdings plants and 33 new-hires. More hiring is expected at Tonawanda with the addition of shifts for the Ecotec engines and the upcoming launch of the GEN V V8 engine line in Plant 1.