“The creation of GM Powertrain Uzbekistan will further develop the growing automotive industry in this country,” said Mike Arcamone, Vice President of GM Powertrain Europe, at a ceremony at the United States embassy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Andor Paizer will head operation as Managing Director of GM Powertrain Uzbekistan. Paizer joins GM Powertrain Uzbekistan from his previous role as Plant Director, GM Powertrain Hungary.

Danny D’Haese has been appointed Chief Financial Officer for GM Powertrain Uzbekistan having previously held the position of Financial Controller, GM Powertrain Europe in Torino, Italy.

Mike Arcamone is appointed Chairman of the Supervisory Board. He is joined by board members Manfred Kranner, Executive Director Manufacturing Operations and Grant Fitz, Chief Financial Officer, of GM Powertrain Europe; and two representatives of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

GM Powertrain Uzbekistan is a joint venture between General Motors and Uzavtosanoat. The powertrain operation builds on the existing cooperation between GM and Uzavtosanoat which established the vehicle joint venture, GM Uzbekistan, in October 2007. GM Uzbekistan currently builds Chevrolet and GM Daewoo vehicles including Captiva, Epica, Lacetti, Nexia, Matiz and Damas in Asaka in the Andijan province.

GM holds the majority 52 per cent stake in the General Motors Powertrain Uzbekistan CJSC which will be a separate entity but run in coordination with GM Uzbekistan.

Construction of the manufacturing operations began in the Tashkent Region in late December 2008 with start of production due to commence in March 2011.

“Through these partnerships GM is bringing important manufacturing know-how, technology, training and employment opportunities as well as great looking, safe, affordable, fuel efficient vehicles to the people of Uzbekistan and the region,” Arcamone said.

The GM Uzbekistan vehicle joint venture operation employees more than 5,000 people and the GM Powertrain Uzbekistan joint venture will create 1,200 additional jobs.

GM Powertrain Uzbekistan will manufacture GM’s 1.0, 1.2, 1.4 and 1.5 liter gasoline engines which are currently produced by GM operations in South Korea and China predominantly for the Asia Pacific market.

The capacity of the plant will initially be matched to meet demand from GM Uzbekistan, with a maximum capacity of 360,000 units a year as demand in the region grows.

GM Powertrain Uzbekistan will run on a three-crew, three-shift manufacturing model with six production days a week.