Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) South Plant Celebrates Job One
13 Octobre 2006 - 9:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
* Second World Engine plant opens in Dundee, Mich. * Mich. Governor
Jennifer Granholm addresses employee event * GEMA celebrates two
milestones: launch of South Plant; one-year anniversary of North
Plant * State-of-the-art manufacturing facilities help
DaimlerChrysler meet four-cylinder engine demand DUNDEE, Mich.,
Oct. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- One year after helping to the
launch the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) in Dundee,
Mich., Governor Jennifer Granholm returned, joining Chrysler Group
executives, the UAW and GEMA employees to celebrate the grand
opening of a second World Engine plant here. The two
state-of-the-art plants -- GEMA North and GEMA South -- are part of
a five-factory global venture building a family of 1.8-liter,
2.0-liter and 2.4-liter engines jointly developed by
DaimlerChrysler, Hyundai Motor Company and Mitsubishi Motors
Corporation. When all five plants are fully operational, the
combined project will be the largest engine manufacturing operation
in the world. Annual production will reach 1.8 million units,
including production sites in Asan and Hwasung, South Korea, and
Shiga, Japan. "Michigan is the global center for automotive
innovation and excellence, and these engine plants show what can
happen when state and local government support business to make our
state competitive," said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. "My
economic plan calls for investment in our workers and our schools
to ensure that our workforce remains the best in the world so that
we can continue to attract new automotive, alternative energy, life
sciences and homeland defense businesses." GEMA represents a whole
new business model for engine development -- one that leverages the
combined capabilities of its partners and economies of scale in
order to generate breakthrough improvement. "At the Global Engine
Manufacturing Alliance, we've put the manufacturing processes in
place to build four-cylinder engines that deliver exceptional
performance, fuel efficiency, reliability and refinement," said
Chrysler Group Executive Vice President - Manufacturing Frank
Ewasyshyn. "It's no secret: the World Engine is the right product
at the right time." Premium World Engine Features The significant
savings achieved in design, purchasing and manufacturing are going
back into the product itself in the form of technology and
refinement. Features such as variable valve timing, high-pressure
die-cast aluminum engine block, forged-steel crankshaft and
select-fit pistons, tappets and bearings are not typically found in
entry-level, four-cylinder vehicles. Engineers from
DaimlerChrysler, Hyundai Motor Company and Mitsubishi Motors
Corporation have used global volume bundling cost savings from the
Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance to give customers valuable
benefits. The World Engine is loaded with premium features
including: * Die-cast aluminum engine block * Aluminum cylinder
heads * Intake manifold with flow-control valves * Dual variable
valve timing * Direct-acting mechanical bucket tappet valve train *
Select fit pistons, bearings and tappets * Isolated valve cover *
Damped oil pan * Balance shaft module with integrated oil pump To
meet high DaimlerChrysler standards for sound quality and minimal
noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), even in entry-level vehicles,
Chrysler Group engineers took several unique measures. An isolated
valve cover and a damped oil pan reduce sound at the top and bottom
of the engine. A variety of select-fit parts minimize NVH. Engine
idle smoothness is improved through the dual VVT technology and the
flow control valve manifold. In addition to these unique
attributes, these engines will deliver world- class quality and
durability. For example, through the involvement of all three
automakers, durability testing for the World Engine exceeded 16
million customer equivalent miles. Fuel economy is a key factor in
the four-cylinder market, and the Chrysler Group continues to find
ways to offer better performance in this area. These engines are
targeted to raise the efficiency by five percent over the engines
they displace. These technologies also enable the engine to meet
the ultra- clean ULEV II emissions standards. GEMA President Bruce
Coventry credits the alliance's practice of focusing exclusively on
its core business as a key element in GEMA's efficient operation.
"Our expertise and value to the customer is in the designing, high-
precision machining and assembling of engine blocks, cranks and
heads," Coventry said. "This project will allow DaimlerChrysler to
realize annual savings of $100 million and attain a leading
position in the market for the world's best four-cylinder engines.
The Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance enables us to fully
benefit from our strategic partnerships and achieve maximum
economies of scale." GEMA bargaining-unit employees are represented
by United Auto Workers Local 723, Monroe, Mich.; Region 1A.
Ground-breaking for the combined 1.2-million-square-foot,
co-located plants began in April 2003. Global Engine Manufacturing
Alliance Joint Venture The World Engine was co-developed under a
joint venture between DaimlerChrysler, Hyundai Motor Company and
Mitsubishi Motors for the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance.
While Hyundai had the lead design responsibility for the base
engine, the Chrysler Group and Mitsubishi made significant
engineering contributions to the design. Through the involvement of
all three automakers, durability testing for the World Engine
exceeded 16 million customer equivalent miles. Additionally,
partners have shared best practices and lessons learned from past
and current experiences, resulting in improved refinement, quality
and durability. Chrysler Group engineering led the development of
key technologies that will give its customers high-value benefits
in cost-efficient engines. These technologies include intake
manifold control valves, Dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT), both
launching in the U.S. first in Chrysler Group versions of the World
Engine. By optimizing the partners' strengths, global economies of
scale and the latest practices in flexible teams and machines, GEMA
aims to set a new benchmark in engine plant productivity. GEMA and
the Community The Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance and the
DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund are contributors to the Dundee
community, and support area activities including the Dundee
Firefighters Association, the Dundee Food Service Fund, the Dundee
Veterans Memorial, the Mayfly Music Festival and the River Raisin
Jazz Festival in nearby Monroe. At full volume, the Global Engine
Manufacturing Alliance is expected to employ between 500 and 600,
including hourly, salary and partner employees. Hiring will
continue at a steady pace for the next 14 months. Throughout
Michigan, DaimlerChrysler employs 40,000, pays more than $3.9
billion in annual wages and provides more than $249 million in
taxable income to the state. Since 2003, the Company has invested
$2.2 billion in its Southeast Michigan manufacturing operations.
DaimlerChrysler facilities in Southeast Michigan include the
Chelsea Proving Grounds, Conner Avenue Assembly Plant,
DaimlerChrysler Transport, Detroit Axle, Global Engine
Manufacturing Alliance, Jefferson North Assembly Plant, Mack Engine
Plants I and II, Mopar Parts World Headquarters, Mt. Elliott Tool
and Die, National Parts Distribution Centers (3), Plymouth Road
Office Complex, Quality Engineering Center, Sterling Heights
Assembly Plant, Sterling Heights Stamping Plant, Sterling Heights
Vehicle Test Center, Trenton Engine Plant, Warren Stamping Plant,
Warren Truck Assembly Plant and the General Motors, DaimlerChrysler
and BMW Hybrid Development Center. In addition, the U.S.-based
DaimlerChrysler corporate headquarters and DaimlerChrysler
Technology Center are located in Auburn Hills. DATASOURCE: Chrysler
Group CONTACT: David Elshoff, +1-248-512-2690, , or Michele Tinson,
+1-248-512-0366, , both of Chrysler Group Web site:
http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/
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