Silicon Valley Investing In Detroit Jump Start Company EcoMotors
By Josh E. Oliver
Published: July 13, 2010
Updated: July 13, 2010

Silicon Valley Investing In Detroit Jump Start Company EcoMotors 

 

TheGMSource - I've been following EcoMotors since the companies inception just two years ago. Their technology is interesting and they have quite the collection of engineering talent to make their new groundbreaking engine technology come to reality. Several months ago it was rumored that EcoMotors was interested in purchasing GM's former Livonia Engine facility. As you know, Livonia produced the groundbreaking (at the time) Northstar V8 engine for Cadillac and premium Buick vehicles.

While the company has yet to secure funds to purchase the now closed GM facility, we do have new word on a big name investor that just pumped millions into EcoMotors.

Bill Gates and Sun Microsofts co-founder announced yesterday its intent to invest $23.5 million in Michigan-based EcoMotors International for further development of its OPOC engine. It's no doubt a major boost to the jumpstart company and should go a long way towards bringing the engine tech to market.

Lost under the radar however, is another investment that was announced in May. EcoMotors International CEO Don Runkle announced on May 17th that Zhongding Holding (Group) Co., Ltd. has signed a letter of intent to fund $18 Million for further development of EcoMotors’ innovative opoc® engine technology.

That bumps EcoMotors total investments to $41.5 Million within the past 2 months. Big news indeed. You may be asking yourself what makes EcoMotors so special? Below is a breakdown of what the automaker says helps make its OPOC engine technology the next big thing in automotive propulsion.

  • Higher Efficiency: The unique engine architecture – specifically, the ability to achieve true modular displacement — delivers up to 60% greater fuel efficiency.

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  • Half the weight and half the size of a conventional engine: The opoc® engine’s smaller profile yields unparalleled power density and exciting new vehicle design opportunities.

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  • Lowest Cost Solution: With 50% fewer parts than a conventional engine, the opoc® is less expensive to manufacture, to purchase and to operate.

    • Josh E. Oliver
    JOliver@TheGMSource.com