The Powertrain Engineering Center in Turin has global responsibility for all diesel engines within the GM Group.

Pierpaolo Antonioli, Managing Director of GM Powertrain Europe in Turin, and John Phillips, American ambassador to Italy, hosted a conference for representatives from politics, economics, and finance. The event was held at the GM Center for Research and Development on the campus of the Polytechnic University of Turin. The aim was to provide information on ways and means of further boosting the Italian economy through foreign investment.

The close cooperation between General Motors and the Polytechnic University of Turin formed the basis of the discussion. It is considered a prime example of a fruitful partnership between an academic institution and the automotive industry.

Antonioli explained that the work with the polytechnic university was a key component of GM’s research activities: “The exchange of expertise and the resulting technological innovations are the compass for positive development for both the company and the polytechnic university.” He believes that concepts like this could be the key to sustainable economic growth in Italy.

Participants were presented with the Opel Monza concept car after the discussion. They also visited the GM Center for Research and Development where engineers and technicians work on drive systems for Opel, Chevrolet, GMC, and Buick.