Despite paying Fiat $2 billion in contractual obligations when its powertrain partnership was dissolved, General Motors came away with a much-needed engine that allowed it to benefit from Europe's diesel boom. As AutoWeek is reporting, a 1.3-liter common-rail diesel engine the companies developed was the key to GM's European sales rising from 10 percent to 46 percent diesel. Now, more than half of the cars sold in Europe are powered by diesel engines. Still, it may take GM a few more years, and a few million diesels, to pay down its outlay.
GM to create new diesel unit as it untangles its Fiat joint powertrain operations [AutoWeek]
Related:
BMW Bringing Diesels to the States [internal]
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