General Motors Co. in Detroit plans to invest $888 million in its Tonawanda Propulsion plant, north of Buffalo and along and inland from the Niagara River, to support the production of the sixth generation of GM’s V-8 engines used in full-size trucks and SUVs.
The funding marks the largest single investment the company has ever made in an engine plant, and makes Tonawanda the second GM propulsion plant to produce this new generation of engines.
The new engines are expected to deliver stronger performance than today’s engines, while benefiting fuel economy and reducing emissions. New combustion and thermal management innovations are a key factor driving the improvements, GM states.
Over the last 15 years, the automaker has made several strategic investments in its manufacturing facilities. In January 2023, the company announced a $500-million investment in its Flint Engine plant for production of the sixth generation of V-8 engines.
“Our significant investments in GM’s Tonawanda Propulsion plant show our commitment to strengthening American manufacturing and supporting jobs in the U.S.,” says Mary Barra, chair and CEO.
“GM’s Buffalo plant has been in operation for 87 years, and is continuing to innovate the engines we build there to make them more fuel efficient and higher performing, which will help us deliver world-class trucks and SUVs to our customers for years to come.”
The investment includes new machinery, equipment, and tools, as well as facility renovations.
Tonawanda Propulsion, represented by UAW Local 774, will continue to produce the fifth generation of GM’s V-8 engine while the plant prepares for the next generation’s start of production in 2027.
For more information, visit GM.com.
