DaimlerChrysler, Hyundai, and Mitsubishi begin production of World Engine

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm helps assemble one of the four-cylinder World Engines that will be assembled at the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) World Engine Plant. Click image to enlarge

Dundee, Michigan – The Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) launched volume production yesterday of the World Engine, in the first of two plants opening in Dundee, Michigan. The plants are part of a five-factory global venture building engines jointly developed by DaimlerChrysler, Hyundai Motor Company and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.

Each GEMA plant will have the capacity to build 420,000 engines annually; the second plant is scheduled to launch in thirteen months. The two plants represent 530 new jobs and a combined overall investment of US$803 million.

The plants will build a family of 1.8-litre, 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre engines. When all five global plants are fully operational, the combined project will be the largest engine manufacturing operation in the world, with annual production reaching 1.8 million units. Other facilities are located in Asan and Hwasung in South Korea, and in Shiga, Japan.

DaimlerChrysler expects that the project will result in annual savings of US$100 million.