Powertrain

Overview

GM powertrain designs, engineers and manufactures engines, transmissions, castings, and components for GM vehicles and other automotive, marine and industrial original equipment manufacturers. It has operating and coordinating responsibility for GM's powertrain manufacturing plants and engineering centers in North and South America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, with global headquarters in Pontiac, Mich.

The GM Powertrain team includes 86 facilities, 17 countries, and approximately 48,700 members. Powertrain ranks among one of the world's largest automotive suppliers.

Whether it's a 4, 6, or 8 cylinder gasoline or diesel engines, or it's one of our new hybrid powertrain offerings, or our automatic and manual transmissions, product offerings provide customers with various levels of power output, fuel economy, towing capability, acceleration and overall engine character to meet their requirements.

GM Powertrain Evolution

GM Powertrain traces its history to the myriad of automotive companies that combined to form GM in 1908. These companies included: Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile and Cadillac. For many decades, each division produced its own engines and transmissions. In time, it became evident that efficiency improvements could be made with increased administrative and manufacturing cooperation between all divisions. The consolidation began in 1983, with the assignment of the Toledo, Ohio Chevrolet and the Windsor, Ontario GM of Canada transmission plants to the Hydra-Matic division. The "marriage" of the Hydra-Matic and GM Engine divisions in 1990, resulted in GM Powertrain. The subsequent addition of Central Foundry Division and Advance Engineering Staff in 1991, elevated Powertrain to corporate group status. In 1997, the formation of a GM global powertrain organization was announced, encompassing all of GM's powertrain engineering and manufacturing activities outside of North America.

Powertrain Today

Since its inception as a global powertrain organization, GM Powertrain's engineering, manufacturing, purchasing and other functions continue to evolve beyond its traditional North American boundaries. GM Powertrain has evolved throughout the years and the traditions of the various divisions that were combined to form GM Powertrain have made it one of the major shapers of the automotive industry.

Building on GM's heritage of innovation in powertrain technology, GM Powertrain is constantly pushing the envelope to find new ways to meet customer requirements and generate enthusiasm for its products. Today, the legecy of Kettering and Olds is as strong as ever. GM powertrains can be found in all types of vehicles around the globe. The spectrum of engines produced by GM runs the gamut from the efficient fuel-sipping Ecotecs and the powerful high-tech Northstars to the just-plain-fast Corvette engine.

GM powertrain's products are grouped under the following headings: engines, transmissions, castings and components.

Powertrain's products are primarily for GM cars and trucks, however, core business consist of outside sales to a number of marine, industrial and on-highway OEMs. Currently, GM Powertrain also sells products to non-GM OEMs such as AM General, Mercury Marine, Volvo and Power Solutions Inc.