Updated
Yesterday Chrysler officially ended the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA), the alliance under which it, Hyundai and Mitsubishi developed the architecture for the 1.8-liter, 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter engines now used in cars like the Dodge Caliber, Kia Forte and Mitsubishi Lancer.
Hyundai and Mitsubishi have sold their interests in the Dundee, Michigan, plant. In actuality, neither Hyundai/Kia nor Mitsu has ever used a Dundee-sourced engine in any of its cars, Auto Observer reports. Each company has plants in its respective home market that can build the GEMA-developed engines. So, to date, the Michigan plant has only built four-cylinder engines for the Caliber, Chrysler Sebring/Dodge Avenger, Dodge Journey and Jeep Compass/Patriot.
With this announcement, Chrysler has now ended all development/manufacturing alliances with other manufacturers. If it weren't for Fiat, it would be all alone out there.
Auto Observer: Hyundai, Mitsubishi Out of Chrysler Engine-Making JV
zoomzoomn says:
08:17 AM, 09/11/09
At this point, I am sure that it is because of it's new alliance with Fiat that these association will be left to expire. Wow. Fiat/Chrysler. Kind of sad, really.
estreka says:
08:54 AM, 09/11/09
So what new engine will Kia use for the Forte?
eriches says:
09:02 AM, 09/11/09
The Forte uses GEMA-developed engines, but they're built elsewhere. Not sure where, off-hand, though, so I'll have to do some research.
greenpony says:
10:16 AM, 09/11/09
Maybe they should source GM engines.
jays83gsl says:
01:25 PM, 09/11/09
Yes, source GM engines so they get slow, unreliable engines to ruin their names (Or, in the case of Mitsu, put the final peg in the coffin so to speak).
greenpony says:
02:51 PM, 09/11/09
Well I was going to say Ford engines, but what ones are worth having? The 3.5L and 3.7L siblings, maybe? Nah, I'd go with GM. Add the 6.2L and 7.0L V8's to Chrysler's lineup, put the respectable 3.6L (DI of course) in the middle, and round it out with the turbo 2.0L. On second thought, source that last one from VW, in 1.8L form. Sludge problems aside, that engine rocked.
cwc1 says:
04:42 PM, 09/11/09
Hasn't the Chrysler 2.4 liter four been criticized for its NVH and lack of refinement? Thus, it's surprising that the engine family was also co-developed by Mitsubishi and Hyundai.
dg0472 says:
12:46 PM, 09/13/09
Hyundai-Kia's Theta engine family, which is used in the Forte, is made in Hyundai's Asan, South Korea, plant. They also have a new engine plant in Montgomery, AL, that also makes the 2.4L version for the vehicles made at the adjoining plant as well as the new Kia plant in West Point, GA.
Chrysler designed their own exhaust and intake systems as well as made other fuel system modifications largely for cost reasons. Some of those differences, as well as mounting, may account for the NVH issues in the GEMA-produced motors.
cwc1 says:
05:38 PM, 09/14/09
^Good point; that probably explains it.