GM rebrands its powertrain centres

General Motors is rebranding GM Powertrain to GM Global Propulsion Systems.

GM claims it is the first OEM to formally transition to a new naming convention to reflect industry trends and its evolution over the years.

GM’s European engineering centres are located in Rüsselsheim, Germany and Turin, Italy. These sites will be named GM Global Propulsion Systems – Rüsselsheim Engineering Center and Turin Engineering Center accordingly.

“The new name is another step on our journey to redefine transportation and mobility,” claims Mark Reuss, executive vice president, global product development.

“Global Propulsion Systems better conveys what we are developing and offering to our customers: an incredibly broad, diverse line-up – ranging from high-tech three-cylinder gasoline engines to fuel cells, battery electric systems, and 6-, and 8-speed transmissions.”

GM’s Global Propulsion Systems is a group of over 8,600 people that design, develop, engineer and manufacture all propulsion related equipment and controls for GM worldwide.

Presently, some 2,500 experts are employed in this area at the European sites in Rüsselsheim and Turin.

Christian Müller, vice president, GM Global Propulsion Systems – Europe, says:  “Gone are the days when a simple gasoline engine and a simple transmission are all a vehicle needs. Today mobility is key and the customer is demanding unprecedented technology integration that requires unprecedented engineering and supplier partnership. The name-change reflects the new and larger scope as we head into a future of propulsion systems such as electric drive.”

Nearly 50 per cent of Global Propulsion Systems’ engineering workforce is involved with alternative or electrified propulsion systems. GM’s expanding capabilities include the new Ampera-e battery electric vehicle and hydrogen fuel cells. Other notable systems include the new generation combustion engines currently being rolled out.

The group’s new BiTurbo diesel engine will debut at March’s Geneva motor show in the new Astra Sports Tourer.