Dayton, Ohio: General Motors has announced today an investment of $69 million in its joint venture with Isuzu Motors Limited, DMAX, plant in Moraine to manufacture a new Duramax 6.6-liter V-8 turbo diesel engine that will meet stringent emissions standards in 2010. DMAX was established as a diesel engine company in 1998, with GM owning a 60-per cent stake and Isuzu having the rest.

The investment includes renovations to the plant, new machinery and tooling to support manufacturing of the new diesel engine. Renovations are expected to begin immediately. As a result of the investment, the DMAX plant will retain over 1,000 jobs.

"GM is committed to continuing to reduce fuel consumption and emissions across its portfolio and around the world. The 2010 Duramax diesel is an integral part of that transformation, as well as a component of GM's strategy to diversify vehicle energy sources," said John Buttermore, GM Powertrain vice president of global manufacturing.

"This new investment demonstrates GM's commitment to continue to invest in technologies that reduce the impact of our vehicles on the environment, while maintaining performance attributes required by customers in the areas of towing and hauling loads," Buttermore added.

The investment raises GM's investments in the US state of Ohio to more than $1 billion over the last two years.

The 2010 model year 6.6-liter V-8 Duramax diesel will use a selective catalytic reduction NOx after-treatment system with a diesel particulate filter to help achieve the 2010 Tier 2 Bin 5 and LEV 2 emissions standards, and it will be compliant in all 50 states.

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 pickup truck market share has jumped nearly tenfold in the seven years that Duramax engines have been offered.

The Duramax 6.6-liter V-8 is a four-valve high pressure common rail direct injection diesel currently equipped with a diesel particulate filter to meet the stringent 2007 emissions requirements. Available in GM's Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups, 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.

The 584,000-square foot DMAX plant employs 1,195 hourly and salaried employees with annual production near 200,000 engines. In April 2007, DMAX produced its one millionth Duramax diesel engine.

General Motors Corp. the world's largest automaker is the majority shareholder in GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. of South Korea, and has product, powertrain and purchasing collaborations with Suzuki Motor Corp. and Isuzu Motors Ltd. of Japan.

GM also has advanced technology collaborations with DaimlerChrysler AG and BMW AG of Germany and Toyota Motor Corp. of Japan, and vehicle manufacturing ventures with several automakers around the world, including Toyota, Suzuki, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. of China, AVTOVAZ of Russia and Renault SA of France.

GM's brands include, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling.