MORAINE, Ohio (AP) — General Motors Corp. plans to build a new heavy duty diesel engine at a plant near Dayton, investing $69 million (euro47 million) and retaining more than 1,000 jobs, the automaker announced Tuesday.

 

GM said the new 6.6-liter V-8 turbo diesel engine will be produced at the DMAX plant, resulting in plant renovations, new machinery and tooling. GM said the engine will meet emissions standards in 2010.

 

DMAX, established in 1998, is a joint venture between GM and Isuzu Motors Ltd. The plant currently employs 1,195 workers.

 

''GM is transforming its product portfolio to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, and the 2010 Duramax diesel is an integral part of that transformation as well as a component of GM's strategy to diversify vehicle energy sources,'' said John Buttermore, GM Powertrain vice president of global manufacturing.

 

The announcement was made at a news conference inside the plant.