GM opens new center in Pontiac, Mich. to shorten powertrain development time

GM today announced that it has dedicated a new 450,000 square-foot GM Powertrain Engineering Development Center next to its headquarters in Pontiac, Michigan. According to Dan Hancock, GM’s Vice President of Global Powertrain Engineering, the new center is the most technically advanced powertrain development center in the world.

The center will help GM cut the time it takes to design, develop and test powertrains faster than ever before. GM will test the upcoming Volt’s electric-motor and engine along with other advanced transmissions and gas, diesel and hybrid powertrains.

Hancock pointed out that during the 2008 model year 17 GM models get an EPA estimated fuel-economy of at least 30mpg on the highway including the Chevrolet Aveo that gets 32mpg, Pontiac G5 XFE that gets 35mpg, Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid at 32mpg and the 6-speed automatic Chevrolet Malibu with 32mpg.

Source: GMNext (Website Removed)