GM Korea said that the company would make a new investment worth about 100 billion won ($92 million) in its Bupyeong engine plant in Incheon to produce the next-generation four-cylinder turbocharged engines.

The new engines will be introduced in the first half of next year for GM Korea’s new small sport utility vehicle Chevrolet Trax and then other Chevy brand smaller cars, said the Korean unit of U.S.-based General Motors.

The more fuel-efficient turbocharged gasoline engines have thus far been manufactured only in the U.S. and European operations of GM, according to the company.

“This significant investment is clear evidence of GM’s long-term commitment to GM Korea and confidence in our ability to offer more advanced engines to satisfy our customers,” GM Korea CEO Sergio Rocha said last week.

“As car buyers continue to make fuel efficiency and performance a priority, we must remain committed to developing competitive, innovative solutions to exceed their expectations.”

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)