GM Powertrain becomes GM Global Propulsion Systems

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Green Car Congress / February 17, 2016

General Motors will rename GM Powertrain to GM Global Propulsion Systems. GM’s Global Propulsion Systems is collectively the group of more than 8,600 people that design, develop and engineer all propulsion related products and controls for GM worldwide.

Nearly 50% of the Global Propulsion Systems engineering workforce is involved with alternative or electrified propulsion systems.

The new name is another step on our journey to redefine transportation and mobility. 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.

—Mark Reuss, executive vice president, Global Product Development

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.

—Dan Nicholson, vice president, GM Global Propulsion Systems

GM Global Propulsion Systems is responsible for all GM vehicle propulsion systems’ design, development and validation, including engines, transmissions, electrification systems, fuel cell development and all associated control systems.

The Pontiac, Mich. Global Propulsion Systems Engineering Center is the flagship of GM’s eight global powertrain engineering centers, which also include Brazil, Germany, Italy, India, China, Korea and Australia, collectively representing $1.5 billion in global investments in recent years, including joint ventures.

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GM renames powertrain unit to emphasize alternative technologies

Automotive News / February 17, 2016

GM Powertrain is no more.

General Motors said today it has renamed its powertrain unit after 24 years to GM Global Propulsion Systems.

GM said the name change more accurately portrays the work the unit does as the company increasingly invests in electric vehicles, fuel cells and other technologies.

“Gone are the days when a gasoline engine and a transmission designed independently meet a customer’s expectations,” Dan Nicholson, Global Propulsion Systems vice president, said in a statement. “The diversity of our propulsion systems requires a name that reflects what we are already working on and delivering to our customers.”

The automaker said nearly 50 percent of its engineers in the former powertrain unit work on alternative or electrified propulsion systems. The Global Propulsion Systems unit employs about 8,600 people globally, GM said.

Last month, GM said it is reorganizing certain vehicle engineering operations to speed efforts to develop autonomous and electrified vehicles.

Doug Parks was named vice president for autonomous technology and vehicle execution, reporting to Mark Reuss, head of global product development for GM. The move was effective Feb. 1.

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