Power simply doesn’t come from just an engine any more. We’re seeing disruption in what moves people across the globe, and automakers will not fall behind; that’s been shown in General Motors’ most recent investments into Maven, its personal mobility brand, and electric vehicles like the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV.
The effects have rippled to GM Powertrain, which has officially undergone a name change. GM Powertrain is out, and GM Global Propulsion Systems is in.
“The new name is another step on our journey to redefine transportation and mobility,” said Mark Reuss, executive vice president, Global Product Development. “Global Propulsion Systems better conveys what we are developing and offering to our customers: an incredibly broad, diverse lineup – ranging from high-tech 3-cylinder gasoline engines to fuel cells, V8 diesel engines to battery electric systems, and 6-, 7-, 8-, 9- and 10-speed to continuously variable transmissions.”
GM Propulsion Systems houses more than 8,600 people that design, develop and engineer all propulsion related products and controls for GM worldwide. GM says the name change reflects industry trends, and carves the future for GM engineering to come.
According to Dan Nicholson, vice president, GM Global Propulsion Systems, “Gone are the days when a gasoline engine and a transmission designed independently meet a customer’s expectations. Today’s customer is demanding unprecedented technology integration that requires unprecedented engineering and supplier partnerships. The diversity of our propulsion systems requires a name that reflects what we are already working on and delivering to our customers. I believe this will establish an industry trend.”
Almost 50-percent of the Global Propulsion Systems workforce has a hand in developing alternative or electrified propulsion systems, including the Voltec powertrain gracing the 2016 Chevrolet Volt and fuel-saving technology such as the stop-start system for the 2016 Cadillac CT6 and the 3.6-liter LGX V6.
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