GM Opens Engine Plant in Uzbekistan

GM has a 52% stake in GM Powertrain Uzbekistan and its partner has a 48% stake. The facility, which covers 40 hectares, is GM’s first engine plant in Uzbekistan. It will produce more than 225,000 fuel-efficient Ecotec 1.2L and 1.5L engines for use in GM small passenger cars sold around the world. The first engines produced at the plant starting this month will be installed in the Chevrolet Spark mini car which is being sold in the domestic market and is exported to Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
The new facility, which will employ up to 1,200 people, has adopted cutting-edge computer equipment to enhance precision and ensure high build quality and the flexibility to switch between production of engine variants in line with changing market demand.
The Uzbekistan plant joins facilities in China and Korea as a producer of GM’s new Ecotec 1.2Land 1.5L engines. Both Euro 5-compliant engines use a cast-iron block and aluminum head, with dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder.