GM has started production of electric motors at its Baltimore operations plant in White Marsh, Maryland (US), says a press release. The permanent magnet electric motor will produce 130hp (100kW) and 400lb-ft of torque; enough to reach acceleration from zero to 60mph in less than eight seconds. The electric motor will be equipped in the Chevrolet Spark electric vehicle (EV), which is scheduled to start selling in California and Oregon (US) this summer. Spark electric car sales will be later expanded to Canada, Europe and South Korea.
Significance: GM has become the first US automaker to start electric motor production in the US. The motor has been designed by GM’s US engineers and it is being manufactured and assembled in the country. “By designing electric motors in Michigan and manufacturing them at Baltimore Operations, GM controls the design, materials and production processes, as well as reducing costs and improving performance, quality, reliability and manufacturability,” said Bill Tiger, Plant Manager. The automaker initially worked on the electric motor at its pilot plant in Wixom Michigan (US) followed by starting electric motors production at White Marsh. The automaker has also trained workers at its Baltimore plant to operate machines which are used to configure portions of the electric motor and drive units.
GM starts electric motor production in the US. Source: GM
