It was reported a few years ago that General Motors would invest nearly $500 million in its Flint engine factory to help develop its next-generation small-block V8. On Monday, the company revealed plans to increase its investment in the Tonawanda propulsion facility located in Buffalo, New York. This means that the factory will start making new engines in 2027. Although some automakers have stopped producing engines with eight cylinders, GM’s recent investment of approximately $900 million indicates that the company plans to continue making the V8 at least until the end of the decade. GM stated in a press release that the funds will be used to purchase new machinery, tools, and equipment, as well as to enhance existing buildings. During the changes, the existing family of engines will continue to be produced without interruption. It is the largest investment that GM has ever made in a single-engine plant, according to the company. CEO Mary Barra stated that GM’s significant investments in the Tonawanda Propulsion Plant highlight the company’s strong commitment to supporting U.S. manufacturing and safeguarding American jobs. “For 87 years, GM’s Buffalo facility has been enhancing engine performance making them more fuel-efficient and more powerful.”This means we can keep giving our customers high-quality trucks and SUVs for many years to come.” Although the focus on trucks and SUVs may not appeal to those who prefer sports cars, the investment is still worthwhile. In today’s market, a V8 engine in a truck or SUV is most likely to be produced if there is a solid business justification for it. Additionally, once it’s in the parts bin, experts will likely look for another innovative way to utilize it. The GM small-block has been an American auto icon for a long time, having been produced in some form or another since the mid-1950s, with the Chevrolet V8 being a Notable Example. Both truck owners and sports car users love it. The LT1 and L87 engines remain two of the best on the market, despite the company recently recalling a significant number of pickups and SUVs due to quality issues.
