Normal Motors (GM) has confirmed a second North American manufacturing unit will start making its new sixth-generation small-block V8, on the Tonawanda Propulsion plant in Buffalo, New York, from 2027.
In begin distinction to a broader world automotive business that’s investing closely in electrical powertrains a press release, GM stated the US$888 million (A$1.377 billion) value to construct the brand new V8 in Buffalo represents “the biggest single funding the corporate has ever made in an engine plant”.
It means the brand new engine might be produced in two areas, with the 87-year-old Flint Engine plant in Michigan additionally tooling as much as construct the brand new ‘Gen VI’ V8, which is ready to energy “full-size vans and SUVs”.
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“This new era of engines is predicted to ship stronger efficiency than at this time’s engines whereas benefiting gasoline financial system and lowering emissions,” stated the US automaker in a press release this week.
“New combustion and thermal administration improvements are a key issue driving these enhancements.”
No additional particulars – comparable to displacement, energy, torque or gasoline consumption – have been introduced.
The brand new V8 was introduced by GM in 2023 as a substitute for the present ‘Gen V’ engine launched in 2013.
Following its affirmation, GM dumped plans for a extra highly effective six-cylinder engine set to supply V8-rivalling energy and functionality.
GM rival Stellantis – which owns rival manufacturers together with Dodge, Ram and Chrysler, amongst others – has since dropped its famed Hemi V8 instead of a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder twin-turbo ‘Hurricane’ engine.
The Hurricane was launched in Australia with the 2025 Ram 1500 pickup, which competes with the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado.
Feedback by Ram’s returning world CEO Tim Kuniskis and US President Donald Trump’s strikes to wind again the nation’s emissions legal guidelines – successfully together with a ban on the sale of latest autos with inside combustion engines – have sparked rumours that Stellantis will restart Hemi V8 manufacturing.
GM didn’t say which of its fashions will get the brand new V8, however it’s set to switch the present engine beneath the bonnet of the Silverado and the GMC Yukon Denali giant SUV not too long ago launched in Australia.
The long-wheelbase Yukon XL, the GMC Sierra and the Chevrolet Suburban full-size SUVs can even be powered by the brand new V8 within the US.
Within the Australian-spec Silverado 1500 and Yukon, the present V8 produces 313kW/624Nm throughout all grades together with the efficiency focussed Silverado ZR2 flagship.
L87 6.2-litre V8-powered Silverados bought in Australia between 2021 and 2024 are a part of a worldwide recall introduced earlier this month, impacting 9451 autos right here and 721,000 worldwide.
The recall doesn’t embody the MY25 Silverado nor the Yukon Denali in Australia.
The announcement additionally comes after President Trump launched wide-ranging tariffs – together with automotive-specific tariffs – on imports into the US.
The controversial tariffs – which got here in April 2025 regardless of calls from GM, Ford and Stellantis to postpone their introduction – have been designed to foster manufacturing within the US.
GM has since stated the tariffs will value it US$5 billion (A$7.8bn) – with Ford saying the tariffs will value it a minimum of US$2.5 billion (A$3.89bn) – because it reorganises its manufacturing provide chain in response.
“Our vital investments in GM’s Tonawanda Propulsion plant present our dedication to strengthening American manufacturing and supporting jobs within the US,” stated GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra in a press release this week.
“GM’s Buffalo plant has been in operation for 87 years and is continuous to innovate the engines we construct there to make them extra gasoline environment friendly and better performing, which can assist us ship world-class vans and SUVs to our clients for years to come back.”
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