SAIC, GM extend partnership to powertrain technology

SAIC Motor Co Ltd and General Motors (GM) announced on Aug 18 that they will join hands in developing a new energy-saving powertrain technology.

The cooperation will sharpen the competitive edge of their respective products and help lower the oil consumption and carbon emissions of their vehicles worldwide. Both sides will share the intellectual property rights of the new technology.

The powertrain system will include a compact, lightweight design combining direct injection and turbocharge options to boost its small gasoline engine, which is set to come in a range of displacements from 1 liter to 1.5 liters.

The dual-dry-clutch transmission will provide smoother shift quality and greater fuel economy than conventional six-speed automatic transmissions. Meanwhile, the new engine and transmission technologies will lower carbon emissions and oil consumption by 20 percent compared to standard powertrains made in China.

This marks the first time that a Chinese automaker has joined forces with a global auto group to jointly develop a core power technology and share the intellectual property rights on a global level.

Engineers from both sides will carry out research and development work on the new engine and transmission technologies in Detroit and Shanghai.
SAIC Motor and GM believe the new project will help them turn a new page in their long-term cooperative relationship and help each other gain an upper hand in the global market.