GM to invest $888M in Tonawanda plant for next-gen V8 engines
June 16, 2025
General Motors has announced plans to invest $888 million in its Tonawanda Propulsion plant, Buffalo, New York, US, to support the production of the sixth generation of GM’s V8 engines used in full-size trucks and SUVs. This new generation of engines is expected to deliver stronger performance than today’s engines while enabling improved fuel economy and reduced emissions, improvements attributed to combustion and thermal management innovations.
GM has made strategic investments in its manufacturing facilities over the last fifteen years. In January 2023, the company announced a half-billion-dollar investment in its Flint Engine plant in Michigan to produce the sixth generation of V8 engines. This latest investment 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.
“Our significant investments in GM’s Tonawanda Propulsion plant show our commitment to strengthening American manufacturing and supporting jobs in the US,” said Mary Barra, chair and CEO. “GM’s Buffalo plant has been in operation for eighty-seven 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 will support the adoption of new machinery, equipment, and tools, as well as facility renovations.
“This investment marks an exciting new chapter for our plant,” said Tara Wasik, plant director at Tonawanda. “For generations, our team has demonstrated its commitment to manufacturing excellence. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting the Western New York community and steadfast in our mission to deliver world-class propulsion systems to our customers.”
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.
GM’s US manufacturing operations include more than fifty assembly, stamping, propulsion, and component plants and parts distribution centres across the US. These operations highlight the company’s commitment to continue providing customers with a strong portfolio of ICE vehicles and a growing number of EVs.
