GM purchases half of Italian diesel maker VM Motori
http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-purch...vm-motori.html
The move provides GM with a firm grip on the world diesel market. Previously, GM had used VM Motori for diesel engines in the European Opel/Vauxhall Frontera SUV, which was essentially a re-badged Isuzu Rodeo.
Until recently, DaimlerChrysler had a 49 percent share of VM Motori; Penske bought that back earlier this year and sold it, as well as an additional 1 percent, to GM. DaimlerChrysler's interest in VM Motori had been in diesel engines for the Jeep Liberty/Cherokee SUV.
GM is expecting a significant world-wide growth in emissions-friendly diesel engines. In the early part of the decade, GM partnered with Fiat Auto to create diesel engines. Despite the demise of various GM-Fiat alliances, GM was able to retain half-intellectual property of 1.3 and 1.9-liter engines and half of a Polish plant, which produces the 1.3-liter diesels.
GM's share in VM Motori will provide access to - and development of - larger diesels aimed at the North American, Chinese, Indian and Russian markets.
VM Motori is based in Cento, Italy, in the Reggio Emilia region - also home to Ferrari and Maserati, among others. Among other diesels, VM produces the engines for London-style taxicabs.




