GM to Boost Engine Production to Meet Volt, Cruze Demand

Chevrolet's Cruze and Volt are more popular than General Motors expected so, in order to face the high demand the company is experiencing these days, engine production at three plants will be increased as soon as possible. Plants in Michigan and Ohio will receive an $163 million investment to boost engine production for the Cruze, the Volt and a yet to be revealed small car.

Specifically, the US-based company wants to increase production of the 1.4-liter engine used on the Cruze, as well as on the engine used for the Volt hybrid at the Flint factory.

Judging by the numbers, General Motors hopes to roll off the assembly lines up to 400 engines per day in the beginning of 2011 at the Flint site, with numbers to grow the next year to 800 units per day. In late 2012, the Flint plant is expected to produce a total of 1,200 engines per day, according to a report by Reuters.

General Motors yesterday announced the decision to add 1,000 jobs in Michigan in the engineering and development sector, most of them to be focused on the next generation electric vehicles to be rolled under GM's brands.

“GM is going to lead the industry in the adoption of various vehicle electrification technologies, whether its electric vehicles with extended-range capability, like the Chevrolet Volt, or the recently introduced eAssist technology that will debut on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse,” Akerson said. “We want to give our customers energy choices other than petroleum and to make the automobile part of the solution when it comes to the environment."