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January 03, 2003
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This Week:

• Michelin Challenge Design(TM) Brings World Debut of Matra P75 to Detroit

• Ford Introduces The Faction at the 2003 Los Angeles Auto Show

• Dodge Reveals New Shape of American Muscle with 2003 Dodge Magnum SRT-8 Sports Tourer Concept 

• The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate - Dynamic, intelligent and captivating in every respect

• Subaru Introduces Second Version of Baja(TM) Crossover Vehicle

• GM's Global Manufacturing System - A System To Build Great Cars and Trucks

• Global Engine Alliance Announces Plans to Jointly Develop and Operate Production Facility in the U.S.

• Scion To Launch First Two Products - xA and xB - At The 2003 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show

• Mitsubishi Motors Opens 2003 as Consolidated North American Company

• Thierry Peugeot appointed Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Peugeot SA.

• Peter Butterfield Promoted to President and CEO at Kia Motors America

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Global Engine Alliance Announces Plans to Jointly Develop and Operate Production Facility in the U.S.
 

Chrysler Group, Hyundai Motor and Mitsubishi Motors sign Memorandum of Understanding 'True melting pot of cultures', says Dieter Zetsche, Chrysler Group CEO New state-of-the-art aluminum engine will be fuel efficient and emissions efficient Los Angeles, CA - Chrysler Group President and CEO Dieter Zetsche kicked off the 2003 auto show season by announcing plans for Chrysler Group, Hyundai Motor Company and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation to jointly operate the North American production facility that will produce a co-developed World Engine.

In a speech at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Zetsche said that the three automakers have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which leads to that unique arrangement. "The North American plant will be co-managed by executives from all three partner companies, with Chrysler Group in the lead," Zetsche said.

The plant will be "a wellspring of innovation, and a true melting pot of cultures," he added, using best practice manufacturing processes, automation and techniques that leverage each company's strengths.

DaimlerChrysler announced in May 2002 that the three companies had entered into a joint venture to design, develop and engineer a family of four cylinder engines under the formation of a separate company, titled "Global Engine Alliance, LLC." The state-of-the-art aluminum power plant will be fuel efficient and emissions efficient.

The World Engine will be manufactured in production facilities located in Korea, Japan and the United States. Prior to this announcement, it was expected that all production facilities would be individually managed.

Zetsche's announcement affects only the U.S. facility.

All three companies bring a special emphasis from their respective production systems to the World Engine project, said Zetsche. "In a method we call 'Cross-Functional Team Participation,' each of the partner companies will take the lead in a specific area for the plant development plan and implementation, including plant layout, production processes and workforce strategy."

A decision on the U.S. facility's location and its ground breaking is expected sometime this quarter. Actual production at the North American facility will begin in 2005.

The first Global Engine Alliance partner to manufacture the engine will be Hyundai, which will begin production in 2004 at a yet-to-be-determined plant in Korea.

Total annual World Engine production is estimated at over 1.5 million units. Once up and running, this joint venture could become the highest volume engine family in the world.

"These engines will power future generations of fuel-efficient Chrysler Group, Hyundai and Mitsubishi small and mid-size vehicles," stated Zetsche. "Vehicles that will be well-suited for the California market, as well as markets all over the world."

(Jan 02, 2003)