Here’s proof that not all new European motor industry investment is now only in the east: General Motors Europe has begun pilot production at a new diesel engine factory in south-west Germany.
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Situated in the town of Kaiserlautern, the new engine facility will eventually build 120PS and 150PS versions of the 1.9-litre common-rail diesel engine, previously made at the Italian Pratola Serra plant. The factory will also make a 100PS version of the engine, offered in continental Europe only.
The high-performance fuel-efficient engine, which is Euro IV-compliant when equipped with a diesel particulate filter, is available for a number of Opel and Vauxhall car lines as well as the Saab 9-3 TiD.
In order to satisfy growing demand for this popular oil-burner, the plant will operate six days a week, running three eight hour shifts over each 24-hour period. 100,000 powerplants are scheduled to roll out of the factory in 2005, with a target of 180,000 in the first full year of operation in 2006.
“We have prepared for production from the start, and want to make sure that the plant delivers top quality from day one,” said plant manager August Trenkle.
