GM Powertrain Thailand achieves milestone
GM Powertrain Thailand, General Motors' (GM) first diesel-engine plant in Thailand and Southeast Asia, recently achieved its 100,000th production milestone since production officially started on September 9, 2011.
Powertrain GM Thailand has so far produced 44,660 2.5L Duramax engines and 55,340 2.8L Duramax engines. All engines built were used in vehicles assembled in GM Thailand’s assembly plant. The powertrain facility currently has 96 suppliers, and has identified an additional 18 suppliers that will come on line by 2014. The Duramax engine has local content of 45 per cent.
GM Southeast Asia Operations president Martin Apfel said the achievement pointed to teamwork.
“We need to maintain our growth momentum by staying together as a team and making quality the number-one principle in everything we do. We are one of the most advanced GM facilities in the world – we have the tools, training and processes at our disposal to ensure quality is upheld while we continue to grow,” he said.
One of the most advanced GM powertrain facilities in the world, US$200-million (Bt6.1 billion) GM Powertrain Thailand currently employs 590 employees. In July 2012, the 120,000-units-per-year facility added a $36-million engine-block
manufacturing line to its facility to manufacture high-precision engine blocks for the Duramax engines. It was the latest step in the company’s expansion in Rayong and was completed nearly a year ahead of schedule.
GM Powertrain Thailand vice-president David Clarkson said: “I am very proud of our team members. We have achieved this milestone in less than two years since we officially started production, thanks not only to every team member's hard work and dedication, but also to the growing popularity of the products that use the Duramax engine, the Chevrolet Colorado and Trailblazer.” Both the 2.5L and 2.8L Duramax engines in use by the Chevrolet Colorado and Trailblazer feature a variable-geometry turbocharger, aluminum cylinder head, integrated oil cooler, high-pressure common-rail fuel delivery system for increased output, performance, fuel efficiency and durability.
They also feature an EGR cooler for emissions compliance, capable of up to Euro-5 ratings, plus a balancer shaft and laminated lower oil pan for lower NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) during operation.
In June 2012, GM Powertrain Thailand was certified ISO 14001-compliant for the facility’s efforts in reducing environmental waste via the implementation of an environmental management system to manage and mitigate production effects on the environment.
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