October 3, 2006
Joint venture creates jobs, develops alternative energy technology in Troy
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today joined executives from General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, and the BMW Group to celebrate the official launch of their joint Hybrid Development Center in Oakland County. The facility, which is now home to more than 500 engineers from the three companies, is developing alternative energy technology to be used in a variety of vehicles.
“Developing and producing the next generation of automobiles is a key component of my comprehensive plan to diversify Michigan’s economy,” Granholm said. “This joint venture will solidify Michigan’s place as the world leader in automotive research and design and make Michigan the state that will break our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.”
The Hybrid Development Center was made possible, in part, by legislation Granholm signed in July. Public Act 323 of 2006 made the project eligible for a Single Business Tax credit worth more than $2 million.
The facility is one of the most unique research and development centers in the auto industry since it features researchers from three different companies working cooperatively. The initial focus for researchers is the development of a two-mode hybrid system, which combines two electric motors with an internal combustion engine to increase fuel economy by up to 25 percent.
“Michigan’s history was defined by the discovery and development of the automobile,” Granholm said. “Michigan’s future is in the research and development being done around our state to design the next pollution-free engine, discover the next life-saving medical treatment, or develop the next technological breakthrough.”
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