As the current 1.4-liter EcoTec engine production winds down at the General Motors Flint, Michigan assembly, a milestone was triggered.
The Flint plant produced its one-millionth 1.4-liter engine, cracking the number just before the plant retools to being production of the 1.5-liter and LUV/LUJÂ 1.4-liter turbocharged engines for the 2016 Chevrolet Volt and 2016 Chevrolet Cruze, respectively.
“Attaining 1 million engines produced is always an important milestone,” said Terri Burden, Flint Engine plant manager. “But this is particularly special because it comes as we prepare to launch an engine that will be a key part of GM’s global engine program for many years to come.”
The Flint assembly is currently in the midst of a $200 million renovation period, as it becomes one of eight engine plants around the world to build the upcoming 1.5-liter and 1.4-liter engines. When production ends this week, the Flint plant will still be building the LFX 3.6-liter V6 engine found in the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado, 2015 Chevrolet Traverse, 2015 GMC Canyon, 2015 GMC Acadia and 2015 Buick Enclave.
“Flint is GM’s first engine plant to embed its own hourly workers in the powertrain pre-production process,” said Jim Stack, operations launch manager at Flint Engine. “Having Flint employees working side by side with the engineers and pre-production teams allows us to streamline production processes and improve product quality before production begins in the plant.”
Once the equipment is installed for the latest engines, the first production versions of them will head to Lordstown, Ohio, home of the 2016 Cruze, before the end of the year.
Comments
What are the changes between the current 1.4L LUJ/LUV vs. the new one? Adding direct Injection, or anything else?
Hopefully, this is also a sign the Sonic will be included with the Cruze. (A good power bump on the RS would help, though GM doesn’t seem interested in competing with the Fiesta ST)
“cracking the number just before the plant retools to being production of the 1.5-liter and LUV/LUJ 1.4-liter turbocharged engines for the 2016 Chevrolet Volt and 2016 Chevrolet Cruze, respectively.”
Is this a typo? The LUV/LUJ is the existing 1.4-liter turbo in the Sonic, Cruze, and Trax, not the new 1.4-liter turbo slated to replace it.
Also, isn’t the LUV/LUJ going to continue for a while in the Sonic and Trax, or are they getting new engines as well? If the LUV/LUJ is living on in the Sonic and Trax, where will they be produced?