James and others were reacting to a recent interview of Isuzu President Susumu Hosoi, who was quoted by news service Bloomberg as saying Isuzu may end its participation in the Duramax truck engine joint venture with General Motors.
GM owns 60 percent of the 11-year-old plant. Isuzu owns 40 percent.
Maho Mitsuya, DMAX chief executive, said he has heard nothing from Isuzu about leaving the joint venture.
“Why ruin something that’s going well here?” Mitsuya said.
DMAX employs about 550 people at its engine plant at 3100 Dryden Road. The plant is shut down until April for retooling to produce a next-generation V-8 diesel engine.
“Our engineering group is working hard right now to make sure it’s a flawless launch,” said Courtney Strickler, DMAX spokeswoman
“As far as I’m aware, there is no change in status,” said Tom Read, a GM spokesman. “We’re pleased to have them as partners in DMAX.”
Dave Hicks, Moraine city manager, said he met as recently as a month ago with Mitsuya, and he said there was no mention then of Isuzu pulling from the operation. He called that meeting “positive.”
“They’re investing $68 million in the plant literally as we speak,” Hicks said.
GM is investing about $70 million in the new Moraine-built engine that is expected to meet stringent federal air pollution requirements without sacrificing torque or power.
When GM emerged from bankruptcy last summer, DMAX plant leaders said they were told they and the local operation would be part of the new company.
Ed Crawford, spokesman with Isuzu Commercial Truck of America in Anaheim, Calif., referred questions to company offices in Japan.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2390 or tgnau@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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