GM Ramps Up For 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and Volt Production
By Viknesh Vijayenthiran October 13th, 2009
The Car Connection
2011 Chevy Cruze
General Motors is investing more than $230 million in four plants in the greater Flint, Michigan area to support the production of the upcoming 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and 2011 Chevrolet Volt, a move that will form more than 500 jobs. The four plants include Flint Engine South, Flint Metal Center, Flint Tool & Die and Grand Blanc Weld Tool Center.
Key activities performed by the four plants include development of automated equipment and tooling for the Cruze and Volt assembly plants, die development and stamping of body panels and other components and the manufacturing and assembly of key powertrain components including the 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine generator for the Volt and the 1.4-liter four-cylinder turbo engine for the Cruze.
2011 Chevy Volt
The four manufacturing plants have also made significant progress in reducing their impact on the environment. The plants recycle more than 97% of the waste they generate.
The fuel-efficient Chevrolet Cruze, which is scheduled to launch next spring, is Chevy’s all-new global compact car. The Cruze will be powered by a 1.4-liter four-cylinder turbo engine and is expected to deliver better fuel economy than the current leader in the segment, the Chevrolet Cobalt XFE, rated at 37 mpg highway.
The Chevrolet Volt, which is scheduled to start production in late 2010 as a 2011 model, will be GM’s first extended-range electric vehicle. The Volt will be able to travel up to 40 miles on electricity from a single battery charge and can extend its overall range to more than 300 miles with its flex fuel-powered 1.4-liter engine-generator, which will be produced at Flint Engine South.
