GM announced on Friday that it will spend $854 million to create a sixth-generation small-block V8 and $64 million to support its EV efforts, news that sounds like it belongs in another year. but not so. The news also confirmed that a sixth-generation small-block V8 is in production, which GM said it plans to use to “strengthen its industry-leading full-size SUV and truck business.”
The fifth-generation V8 is currently used in a wide range of cars, trucks and SUVs in a variety of configurations, from the base Corvette C8 to several versions of the Sierra. The news that there will be a sixth generation is only a small surprise, as GM is expected to still sell many trucks and SUVs for years to come, possibly due in part to the electric vehicle’s towing range. still bad.
Either way, GM detailed the news investments as follows:
- Flint Engine Operations in Michigan – GM will invest $579 million to prepare plant to assemble GM’s sixth-generation line of small-block V-8 gasoline engines along with associated blocks, cranks and head machining . Work at the facility will begin immediately. Flint will continue to build the 3.0L turbo-diesel engine during the base renovation. GM’s 3.0L diesel engines are used in many light truck applications.
- Bay City GPS in Michigan – GM will invest $216 million to prepare the camshaft, connecting rod and block/head machining facility to support future V-8 production at Flint Engine Operations.
- Defiance operations in Ohio – GM will invest $55 million in Defiance facility. $47 million will be invested to prepare the facility to build a variety of block castings to support future V-8 engine programs. Additionally, the investment includes $8 million to build a foundry development cell for castings to support future EV strategies.
- Rochester New York operations – GM will invest a total of $68 million in the Rochester facility. $12 million will be invested to prepare the intake manifold and fuel rail construction facility for future V-8 production at Flint Engine Operations. In addition, the investment also includes $56 million to build a battery pack cooling line for electric vehicle production.
I’m sure GM will find a way to make the sixth-generation V8 a little more efficient than the fifth-gen, even though Chevy’s small-displacement V8 is used in a lot of different vehicles. so it’s hard to think of it as a single thing. This really shows that GM knows the electric future is a long-term deal and that it will need more V8s in the near term.
I am also happy for the workers, who may have spent their time wondering about job security.
G/O Media can receive commission
Up to $100 credit
Samsung Reserve
Reserve the next gen Samsung device
All you need to do is sign up with your email and boom: credit for your preorder on a new Samsung device.
“Our union celebrates the announcement of these new investments into our GM facilities, which will benefit our members at Locals 659 (Flint, Michigan), 362 (Bay City, Michigan), 211 (Defiance, Ohio) and 1097 (Rochester, New York),” UAW President Ray Curry said in the press release. “The skill and dedication of UAW members are a key part of GM’s success, and this investment recognizes that our members will remain a vital part of GM’s future.”
