After a five-year run, the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) that united Chrysler, Mitsubishi, and Hyundai to build four-cylinder engines has ended. Chrysler bought Mitsubishi’s and Hyundai’s stakes in the group and now wholly owns both the Alliance and its primary engine-building plant in Dundee, Michigan.
Chrysler spokesman Mike Palese said the Dundee plant will continue building engines as before; the plant produces the 1.8-, 2.0-, and 2.4-liter engines for the Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger and Caliber, and Jeep Compass and Patriot. Chrysler hasn’t announced any other plans for the facility, but we wonder if it could transition to producing Fiat engines given that Fiat now owns a 20-percent share of the Pentastar.
Each company can keep technology it contributed to the alliance, according to the Associated Press. The basic four-cylinder engine technology was used by Mitsubishi in the Galant, Lancer, and Outlander; by Hyundai in the Sonata, Santa Fe, and Genesis coupe; and Kia in the Optima, Sportage, and Sorento. Mitsubishi produced its versions of the engines in Japan while Hyundai produced its in South Korea.