engines & transmissions related links past present future gm global propulsion systems designs engineers and manufactures engines transmissions castings and components for gm vehicles and other automotive marine and industrial original equipment manufacturers . it has operating and coordinating responsibility for gm s powertrain manufacturing plants and engineering centers in north and south america europe and the asia pacific region with global headquarters in pontiac mich. the gm global propulsion systems team includes 86 facilities 17 countries and approximately 48 700 members . gm global propulsion systems ranks among one of the world s largest automotive suppliers . whether it s a 3 4 6 or 8 cylinder gasoline or diesel engines or it s one of our hybrid powertrain offerings or our automatic and manual transmissions product offerings provide customers with various levels of power output fuel economy towing capability acceleration and overall engine character to meet their requirements . gm global propulsion systems evolution gm global propulsion systems traces its history to the myriad of automotive companies that combined to form gm in 1908 . these companies included chevrolet pontiac buick oldsmobile and cadillac . for many decades each division produced its own engines and transmissions . in time it became evident that efficiency improvements could be made with increased administrative and manufacturing cooperation between all divisions . the consolidation began in 1983 with the assignment of the toledo ohio chevrolet and the windsor ontario gm of canada transmission plants to the hydra matic division . the marriage of the hydra matic and gm engine divisions in 1990 resulted in gm powertrain . the subsequent addition of central foundry division and advance engineering staff in 1991 elevated powertrain to corporate group status . in 1997 the formation of a gm global powertrain organization was announced encompassing all of gm s powertrain engineering and manufacturing activities outside of north america . in 2010 powertrain and the vehicle organization were joined creating global product operations . features technology marine engine story all information included on this web site was valid at the time of posting . we reserve the right to change at any time . 2016 general motors privacy statement