GM Celebrates J.D. Power Recognition at Fairfax Assembly Plant

The General Motors Fairfax Assembly team today celebrated their successful performance in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Initial Quality StudyTM (IQS). The facility manufactures the Chevrolet Malibu and the Saturn Aura midsize sedans.

The all-new, 2008 Chevrolet Malibu earned a segment award in the very competitive Midsize Car Segment by achieving exceptionally high levels of quality. Additionally, the Fairfax Assembly facility was awarded the Bronze Plant Quality Award, for the least manufacturing defects and malfunctions, ranking the facility third out of 67 assembly facilities located in North and South America. GM senior leadership were on hand for the celebration and presented J.D. Power initial quality awards to Plant Manager Michael Dulaney and UAW Local 31 Shop Chairman John Melton.

“Our research shows that midsize car shoppers want a number of things - fuel economy, value and, yes, top-notch quality. That is what the Fairfax team continues to deliver,” said Troy Clarke, GM North America president. “The great products built at Fairfax are really making a difference as we transition GM to not only being known as a great truck company but also being recognized for our great cars as well.”

“The Fairfax Plant & UAW Local 31 members have consistently produced high quality products. They are a fine example of how UAW employees have answered the challenge and build award winning vehicles for the global market place,” said Cal Rapson, UAW vice president.

“The J.D. Power award is one of the most coveted awards in the automotive industry, and for our plant to receive two in 2008 only highlights the excellence of the Malibu product, the employees who build it, our engineers who designed it and our suppliers,” said Michael Dulaney, Fairfax plant manager. “It should also be recognized that we achieved these results in our launch year and beat both of our major competitors - Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.”

To date, the Malibu has captured 30 awards including: 2008 North American Car of the Year, Car and Driver 10 Best, Automobile magazine All-Star award, Kelly Blue Book’s 2008 Best Redesigned Car, Urban Wheels’ Urban Car of The Year, and the Top Sedan for Families award from MotherProof.com.

“We’re proud of our employees and UAW Local 31 for giving us a home run by earning a quality award for the Chevrolet Malibu in one of the industry’s most competitive vehicle segments,” said Jamie Hresko, GM vice president of Quality. “This award is confirmation from our customers that we got it right.”

“These awards are a direct reflection of the hard work and dedication by the members of UAW Local 31 and the entire Fairfax Team. The result is great vehicles built by great people,” said John Melton, UAW Local 31 shop chairman.

The all-new 2008 Chevrolet Malibu delivers great performance, fuel economy and refinement, wrapped in a clean, tailored design that carries the global face of Chevrolet. A broad range of detailed, well-appointed and efficient models are offered, including the fuel-saving, Malibu LTZ that combines a six-speed transmission and 2.4L four-cylinder engine that achieves an EPA estimated 32 mpg highway.

The Malibu is based on GM’s global midsize platform, which serves as the foundation for a strong body structure, precise build quality and refined driving dynamics. It is more than three inches (76 mm) longer than the current model, with a six-inch-longer (162 mm) wheelbase. The Malibu is offered in several well-equipped trim levels: LS, LT and LTZ - all with standard head-curtain side air bags and front-seat thorax air bags, OnStar Gen 7 with remote diagnostics and XM Satellite Radio. StabiliTrak stability control is standard on LT and LTZ models.

Performance comes from a family of powerful dual-overhead cam four- and six-cylinder engines, including a 169-horsepower (126 kW) 2.4L Ecotec DOHC four-cylinder engine and a 252-horsepower 3.6L DOHC V-6 with variable valve timing. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard on the V-6 and, since April, available on the 2.4L LTZ - a segment first.

For 2009, new features and product enhancements for the Chevrolet Malibu include: an expanded offering of the fuel-saving 2.4L/six-speed automatic powertrain combination, new exterior colors choices and the addition of Bluetooth wireless connectivity with the new OnStar 8.0 system.

The 2.4L four-cylinder with six-speed automatic transmission will be standard on ’09 LTZ models; the V-6/six-speed powertrain is available. The six-speed automatic transmission is also standard on 2LT and available on 1LT. Additionally, StabiliTrak electronic stability control with brake assist and traction control is standard on all models for ’09.

The ’09 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is the most affordable hybrid midsize sedan. It achieves EPA estimated rating of 26 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.

General Motors has been part of the Kansas City economy and community since 1928. The GM Fairfax Assembly facility is located in Kansas City, Kansas. The 3.2-million sq.-ft. plant employs 2,700 hourly and salaried employees.