GM CELEBRATES ONE-MILLIONTH DURAMAX DIESEL
DAYTON,
Ohio – General
Motors Corp. (GM) announced today the production of its one-millionth
Duramax V-8 turbo-diesel engine at the DMAX plant in Moraine.
DMAX Ltd., a joint venture between GM and Isuzu Motors Limited, was established as a diesel engine company in 1998. GM first introduced the Duramax diesel in the U.S. in the 2001 model year and since then, customer enthusiasm for this heavy duty diesel has been outstanding. In fact, GM’s heavy duty diesel pickup market share has jumped nearly tenfold in the six years that Duramax engines have been offered.
“Our Duramax diesel is one of the best in the industry,” said John Buttermore, vice president, GM Powertrain Global Manufacturing. “It’s the strongest and quietest diesel on the market, and we continue to sell every single Duramax we can build.”
"This is a significant achievement," said Maho Mitsuya, Chief Executive Officer of DMAX, Ltd. "It highlights the productivity of our employees and the joint partnership between Isuzu, GM, and the IUE-CWA. It also demonstrates our commitment to building quality in every engine - whether it's our first or our one-millionth."
The Duramax 6.6L V-8 is a four-valve high pressure common rail direct injection diesel equipped with a diesel particulate filter to meet the stringent 2007 emissions requirements. Available in GM’s Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty trucks, the engine delivers a segment-leading 365 horsepower (272 kW) and 660 lb.-ft. of torque (895 Nm). It is also offered with increased power and torque for the Chevy Kodiak and GMC TopKick medium duty applications. Versions are available with 300 horsepower and 520 lb.-ft. of torque, as well as a new 330-horsepower option with 620 lb.-ft. of torque. The Duramax is also available in GM’s full-size vans, Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana.
Buttermore said GM’s market share of heavy-duty diesel pickup trucks in North America has grown from 3 percent in 2001 to nearly 30 percent with the introduction of the Duramax diesel.
“The Duramax has become a great success story, and is a world-class engine with superior quality, industry-leading horsepower and competitive fuel economy,” said Buttermore.
GM established the DMAX joint venture with Isuzu Motors Limited (Isuzu 40 percent, GM 60 percent) in 1998. The 584,000-square foot DMAX plant employs 1,225 hourly and salaried employees with annual production currently at 200,000 engines.