Sam Winegarden, GM's vice president of global engine engineering, said the move isn't about creating new jobs, it's about speeding new products to market.
WSJ: GM to invest $200M in Pontiac powertrain center
2.
Speedier development is important because most of GM's engines and transmissions will have to be new within the next few years due to stricter government carbon dioxide pollution and fuel economy regulations, Winegarden said.
WSJ: GM to invest $200M in Pontiac powertrain center
3.
For example, engineers working on a transmission or engine can simply walk down a hallway to get a question answered as opposed to calling someone in a different location and time zone, Winegarden said.
WSJ: GM to invest $200M in Pontiac powertrain center