GM Commits Over $800M More for V-8 Production

General Motors Canada announced a capital investment of more than $500 million (C$691 million) at the St. Catharines (Ont.) Propulsion Plant as it prepares to start manufacturing a new version GM’s V-8 engine for full-size pickup trucks and SUVs.

It will be the sixth-generation of GM’s small-block V-8 engine, which it has described as more powerful and more fuel-efficient than the current version, incorporating “combustion and thermal management innovations.” Last year GM began extensive updates at Tonawanda, N.Y., for the new engine, which followed programs started at Flint, Mich., and elsewhere as it began planning for the new V-8.

The Gen-6 V-8 engine will become available with the 2027 model year of the pickups and SUVs.

The Ontario investments will cover new machinery, equipment, and tooling, and some “significant” renovations to plant. “Today's announcement confirms St. Catharines will play a key role in one of our core vehicle programs for years to come, and it reflects General Motors' confidence in the St. Catharines team and their proud 74-year legacy of powering our most popular vehicles,” stated Jack Uppal, president and managing director, GM Canada.

GM also announced $300 million in new investments at the Romulus (Mich.) Propulsion Systems plant ahead of its start of production for 10-speed transmissions, also for full-size trucks and SUVs; and $40 million at the Toledo (Ohio) Propulsion System plant to support a capacity increase for 10-speed transmission for light-duty trucks.

Last year the automaker announced a $300-million investment at Romulus for 10-speed transmission production, and in March it announced $40 million for capacity increases at Toledo.

And, in April the automaker put forth a $150-million investment at the Saginaw (Mich.) Metal Casting Operations, to update manufacturing equipment and tooling for casting aluminum V-8 engine blocks.