Detroit automaker GMC announced that they have bought 50 percent stake of an Italian diesel engine manufacturer. This move shows that the carmaker is indeed pushing through with its promise to manufacture diesel engine Cadillac and Saturn auto models in the near future.

General Motors bought 50 percent of VM Motori S.p.A. from Penske Corporation. The agreement will increase General Motors’ presence in the growing diesel engine market. Due to increasing call for fuel efficient vehicles, diesel engines are now being developed to be cleaner than their predecessors. The new generation of diesel engines is considered as one of the many solutions to the increasing threat of global warming.Diesel engines have a very important role in GM’s global advanced propulsion strategy.

General Motors Vice President of Engineering, Dan Hancock, said that they are interested in the acquisition of a controlling share of VM Motori as the company is considered an expert in developing and manufacturing diesel engines. According to Hancock, they are interested in the diesel engines produced by the company for medium trucks used as commercial vehicles in the markets in Europe and Asia-Pacific.

General Motors Vice Chairman announced that General Motors will be equipping cars, crossovers, SUVs, and pickup trucks with diesel engines for the United States auto market. Lutz said that they will be introducing Cadillac and Saturn auto models with diesel engines soon.

Although Cadillac is an unlikely candidate for its luxury brand standing, Saturn seems to be a better fit to diesel technology. After all, General Motors is in the process of revitalizing Saturn’s lineup that even Saturn spark plugs are redesigned, the introduction of a diesel variant in the lineup will make the transformation of the division complete.

With this development, it can be expected that diesel engines are coming to the United States not only from foreign automobile manufacturers but also from domestic automakers like General Motors and Ford.