GM invests EUR 160m in six-speed gearbox plant

General Motors is to invest about EUR 160 million its Strasbourg, France, plant to produce its new family of advanced, six-speed rear-wheel drive automatic transmission in 2006.

General Motors is to invest about EUR 160 million its Strasbourg, France, plant to produce its new family of advanced, six-speed rear-wheel drive automatic transmission in 2006.

General Motors, the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, announced it will invest approximately EUR 160 million in its Strasbourg plant to produce its new family of sophisticated six-speed rear-wheel drive automatic transmission.

The investment includes facility renovation, new machinery, and equipment and tooling to support new processes.

Production is scheduled to begin in 2006.

?We are committed to the six-speed transmission playing a greater role in the GM Powertrain product portfolio," said Tom Stephens, GM group vice president.

"Over the next five years, GM will launch 11 new automatic six-speed transmission variants.  In fact, by 2010, GM will be producing more than three million six-speed transmissions per year globally." The GM Powertrain transmission plant in Strasbourg already produces the 5L40-E and 5L50-E 5-speed rear-wheel-drive automatic transmission for luxury sedans, SUVs, and performance cars.

Marc Schiff, GM Strasbourg's plant manager, says that the new production will be: "in keeping with our mission of providing the World's Best Powertrains." Schiff added that the Strasbourg team: "has a history of producing world-class GM transmissions and that this new six-speed will continue that tradition." The Strasbourg plant was established in 1967 and has built more than 7.5 million transmissions.

GM Strasbourg hosts the European Technical Center for the development of automatic transmissions and employs over 1,600 people.

The Invest in France Agency as well as ADIRA, the local economic development agency assisted GM with this project.

This new investment will help promote France and the Alsace region, as well as boost Strasbourg's already impressive reputation for being a world-class site for automotive and parts-manufacturing.

General Motors' recent investment in France won the 2005 Invest in France Automotive Award.

The company will receive the award during the agency's Awards Ceremony that will take place in Detroit on April 12 during the SAE trade show.

Tom Stephens, GM group vice president, is the award's recipient.

Back to top