The next generation of General Motor’s powertrains got a boost recently by way of a $49 million investment into the Bedford Indiana engine/transmission plant. The tooling and equipment purchase will go towards developement of GM’s upcoming eight speed automatic transmission and a future small displacement engine. The engine, which is still in the blueprint stages, could be either a 1.0 or 1.5 liter inline four cylinder and would more than likely be General Motor’s next global engine.
The Bedford plant, which has been in operation since 1942, received the investment due to it being the home of the current six speed automatic that is found in numerous GM vehicles. The development of the next generation eight speed will also create about 91 jobs with a few of those bringing back laid off UAW workers.
