Work Truck Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

GM Invests $888M in Tonawanda Plant to Power Next-Gen V-8 Engines for Trucks

GM is investing $888M into its Tonawanda plant to build next-gen V-8 engines for trucks and SUVs, boosting performance and cutting emissions.

May 29, 2025
Front view of the GM Tonawanda Propulsion Systems plant in Buffalo, New York, showing the main sign with UAW Local 774 and the facility in the background on a partly cloudy day.

The GM Tonawanda Propulsion plant in Buffalo, N.Y., will receive a massive $888 million investment to support next-gen V-8 engine production for full-size trucks.

Photo: General Motors

2 min to read


General Motors is making a bold move to fuel the future of its truck and SUV powertrains. The automaker announced it will invest $888 million into its Tonawanda Propulsion plant in Buffalo, New York, to support the production of the sixth generation of GM’s legendary V-8 engines.

This latest engine evolution is being designed for use in full-size trucks and SUVs, aiming to crank up performance while dialing back fuel consumption and emissions. How? Through innovative new combustion and thermal management technologies that GM says are key to these improvements.

Ad Loading...

Largest Engine Investment in GM’s History

“This is the largest single investment GM has ever made in an engine plant,” said GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra. “Our significant investments in Tonawanda show our commitment to strengthening American manufacturing and supporting U.S. jobs. GM's Buffalo plant has been in operation for 87 years, and we’re 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.”

This investment includes new machinery, equipment, tooling, and facility upgrades that will prep the site for the sixth-gen V-8 production, scheduled to kick off in 2027. While the upgrades are underway, the plant (represented by UAW Local 774) will continue to produce GM’s fifth-generation V-8 engine.

Tonawanda is the second GM propulsion facility selected to produce the next-gen V-8, following a $500 million investment in the Flint Engine plant announced in early 2023.

“For generations, our team has demonstrated its commitment to manufacturing excellence,” said Tara Wasik, plant director at Tonawanda. “We’re proud to support our Western New York community and excited for this next chapter in delivering world-class propulsion systems.”

GM says the new engines will deliver what truck customers want, power and performance, while advancing fuel economy and emissions goals.

More Vehicle Research

POV the truck on the show floor says stop kicking me with image of tire being kicked

POV: You’re the Truck Everyone Won’t Stop Kicking

From tire kickers and door slammers to the hundredth “what engine’s in this thing” question, life on the show floor isn’t exactly easy. In this mockumentary-style video, we flip the script and give you the POV of an Isuzu truck sitting front and center at the booth.

Read More →
Transparent image of the front of a Mack Truck with a darkened windshield.

Mack Trucks Debuts Mack ImpactShield Windshield Technology on All-New Mack Granite

Mack Trucks will now offer the Mack ImpactShield, a windshield made with Corning Fusion5 Glass, as standard equipment on the all-new Mack Granite vocational trucks starting later this year.

Read More →
Composite image showing four different photos of a truck ranging from desert to snow, with an orange stripe across the middle of the image with while logos for International and CV Series.
Vehicle Researchby Wayne ParhamApril 29, 2026

International CV Series: Medium-Duty Workhorse to End Production

Although International will end production of its CV Series in September, dealers will continue to support the Class 4-6 work truck, and International sees the MV Series filling the niche needs of fleets that have depended on the CV.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
White off-road utility truck in the desert.
Vehicle Researchby News/Media ReleaseApril 28, 2026

Acela Truck Company Unveils Monterra II Cab-Over Commercial Truck Chassis

Acela Truck Company is replacing its Monterra with the new Monterra II, which it recently debuted. The new truck will be offered in day cab, extended cab, and crew cab configurations, along with 4x4 and 6x6 drivetrain options.

Read More →
Image of mountains and multiple small images of truck drivers, headline Last Week to Enter and logo for Star National Experience.
Vehicle Researchby News/Media ReleaseApril 27, 2026

Final Week to Register for Western Star’s Star Nation Experience

This is the final week to register to be part of the Star Nation Experience, a Western Star event that celebrates professional drivers, their skills, and their expertise. It is an all-expenses-paid event built around competition, camaraderie, and the “Never Back Down” spirit that defines the Western Star community.

Read More →
Chris Wolfe presents Freightliner Custom Chassis MT lineup at Work Truck Week 2026, featuring work-in van designs, mobile tool trucks, and utility workspace applications.
Vehicle Researchby Lauren FletcherApril 23, 2026

Not Your Average Work Truck | Freightliner MT Walkaround

Freightliner MT chassis walkthrough from Work Truck Week 2026, featuring real-world applications, mobile workspaces, and fleet-ready configurations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Man standing and talking with clasped hands in front of a poster for Isuzu truck with logo for Truck Chat and Work Truck and headline Latest Trucks & Upfits.
Sponsoredby Lauren FletcherApril 21, 2026

Tour Isuzu’s Latest Trucks & Upfits

Check out Isuzu Commercial Truck of America’s latest trucks as Brian Tabel, assistant vice president of marketing, gives us the tour and provides an update on new features and special upfits.

Read More →
Man in business attire talking and gesturing in front of a truck, tinted blue background, with yellow headline Reading's New Service Bodies, and logos for Truck Chat and Work Truck.
Vehicle Researchby Wayne ParhamApril 20, 2026

Reading Truck Launches New Service Bodies

Let’s take a look at the latest service bodies from Reading Truck, the RHD-46 and the RHD-67. Plus, in this video, you will learn about the new Combo Body.

Read More →
Man talking and gesturing in front of a large Kenworth truck, tinted blue in the background, and yellow headline Kenworth's T880S Performance Hood and logos for Truck Chat and Work Truck.
Vehicle Researchby Wayne ParhamApril 20, 2026

Advantages of the Kenworth T880S Performance Hood

Take a look at Kenworth’s T880S Performance Hood and hear its advantages from Alex Reid, Kenworth’s vocational marketing manager. He also provides a short overview of the other members of the T880 lineup.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Person gesturing toward a big truck, tinted blue in background image, with yellow headline Kenworth's T480 and logos for Work Truck and Truck Chat.
Vehicle Researchby Wayne ParhamApril 17, 2026

Walkaround of Kenworth’s T480 Vocational Truck

Work Truck checks out the Kenworth T480, a workhorse of Kenworth’s vocational lineup. This video tour digs into the details of a Class 8 T480 equipped as a water truck.

Read More →