Latest news with #SamFiorani
USA Today
5 days ago
- Automotive
- USA Today
General Motors commits $888 million to build next-gen V-8 engine in New York
General Motors commits $888 million to build next-gen V-8 engine in New York Show Caption Hide Caption General Motors: History, innovation, and legacy Learn about the rich history and notable innovations of General Motors, from its founding in 1908 to its leadership in electric and autonomous vehicle technology. Retooling for the next generation engine will take two years, the company said, meaning the fifth generation engine will continue to be produced in New York until 2027. The company needs to continue producing the older V-8 engine to address manufacturing issues currently under federal investigation. General Motors is investing $888 million in its New York propulsion assembly plant to produce the next generation V-8 engine, the company said May 27. GM said it is the automaker's largest ever investment in an engine plant and the latest adjustment to electric vehicle production. GM previously announced a $300 million investment to retool Tonawanda Propulsion near Buffalo, New York, to produce electric vehicle drive units. Outside New York, GM produces small block V-8 engines for its full-size trucks and SUVs at two other locations ― Flint, Michigan, and Toluca, Mexico, according to its website. Retooling for the next generation engine, its sixth, will take two years, the company said, meaning the fifth generation engine will continue to be produced in New York until 2027. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a news release celebrating the investment that the project will support 870 jobs at Tonawanda Propulsion, including 177 jobs deemed at risk. The state plans to provide up to $16.96 million in tax credits in return for investment commitments. The announcement is the latest production change GM has made, often citing 'marketplace changes.' GM said April 23 that it planned to expand transmission production at its Toledo (Ohio) Propulsions Systems plant where it builds transmissions used in the Silverado and Sierra pickup trucks, while reducing electric drive unit production. More from GM: General Motors revamps credit card, changes GM Rewards program to add discounts The company also laid off 200 employees at its Factory Zero in Detroit and Hamtramck, Michigan, in April to ensure production will 'align with market dynamics.' Neither move was tariff-related, the company confirmed. Adds on investment in Michigan The investment announced May 27 builds on a $579 million commitment to construct the same engine in Flint. A company spokesman said in 2023 following that announcement that the transition requires significant changes to the assembly line. 'With all of the renovation work that needs to be done to prepare Flint Engine to build the company's sixth generation V-8 engine, GM will continue to produce Gen 5 V-8 engines for several years,' the spokesperson said. It is not unusual to have multiple plants produce the same engines given the advantages associated with streamlining production, according to Sam Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasting at AutoForecast Solutions. GM builds its heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups at Flint Assembly. A spokesperson said engines produced in Buffalo feed vehicle production at Fort Wayne Assembly, Indiana; Arlington Assembly, Texas; Wentzville, Missouri; Oshawa, in Canada; Bowling Green, Kentucky, and overflow to Flint Assembly. The next generation Silverado is not expected to arrive before 2027, likely in line with the newest V-8 generation, Fiorani told the Detroit Free Press. 'Investments this large means those plants will be around for a while. You can't spend half a billion ― or nearly a billion ― on a plant and have it go away in a couple years,' he said. 'This guarantees production will continue for years, as it takes that much time for a return on that size of investment. We're likely to see V-8s well into the 2030s.' Already facing manufacturing issues In addition to adequate retooling time, there's another reason why GM will continue producing the fifth-generation V-8 for a while, Fiorani added: The company needs to continue producing the older V-8 engine to address manufacturing issues currently under investigation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. GM opted to voluntarily recall about 721,000 vehicles worldwide for defective internal engine parts ― the crankshaft and connecting rods ― damaged during the manufacturing process. Any vehicle engines that don't pass inspections at the dealership level will need to be replaced. Models impacted include Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV; Chevy Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL produced for 2021–24 model years. Jackie Charniga covers General Motors for the Free Press. Reach her at jcharniga@
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
General Motors commits $888 million to build next-gen V-8 engine in New York
General Motors is investing $888 million in its New York propulsion assembly plant to produce the next generation V-8 engine, the company said May 27. GM said it is the automaker's largest ever investment in an engine plant and the latest adjustment to electric vehicle production. GM previously announced a $300 million investment to retool Tonawanda Propulsion near Buffalo, New York, to produce electric vehicle drive units. Outside New York, GM produces small block V-8 engines for its full-size trucks and SUVs at two other locations ― Flint, Michigan, and Toluca, Mexico, according to its website. Retooling for the next generation engine, its sixth, will take two years, the company said, meaning the fifth generation engine will continue to be produced in New York until 2027. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a news release celebrating the investment that the project will support 870 jobs at Tonawanda Propulsion, including 177 jobs deemed at risk. The state plans to provide up to $16.96 million in tax credits in return for investment commitments. The announcement is the latest production change GM has made, often citing 'marketplace changes.' GM said April 23 that it planned to expand transmission production at its Toledo (Ohio) Propulsions Systems plant where it builds transmissions used in the Silverado and Sierra pickup trucks, while reducing electric drive unit production. The company also laid off 200 employees at its Factory Zero in Detroit and Hamtramck, Michigan, in April to ensure production will 'align with market dynamics.' Neither move was tariff-related, the company confirmed. More: GM adding V-8 engine to Flint plant worries sites that already make it The investment announced May 27 builds on a $579 million commitment to construct the same engine in Flint. A company spokesman said in 2023 following that announcement that the transition requires significant changes to the assembly line. 'With all of the renovation work that needs to be done to prepare Flint Engine to build the company's sixth generation V-8 engine, GM will continue to produce Gen 5 V-8 engines for several years,' the spokesperson said. It is not unusual to have multiple plants produce the same engines given the advantages associated with streamlining production, according to Sam Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasting at AutoForecast Solutions. GM builds its heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups at Flint Assembly. A spokesperson said engines produced in Buffalo feed vehicle production at Fort Wayne Assembly, Indiana; Arlington Assembly, Texas; Wentzville, Missouri; Oshawa, in Canada; Bowling Green, Kentucky, and overflow to Flint Assembly. The next generation Silverado is not expected to arrive before 2027, likely in line with the newest V-8 generation, Fiorani told the Detroit Free Press. 'Investments this large means those plants will be around for a while. You can't spend half a billion ― or nearly a billion ― on a plant and have it go away in a couple years,' he said. 'This guarantees production will continue for years, as it takes that much time for a return on that size of investment. We're likely to see V-8s well into the 2030s.' In addition to adequate retooling time, there's another reason why GM will continue producing the fifth-generation V-8 for a while, Fiorani added: The company needs to continue producing the older V-8 engine to address manufacturing issues currently under investigation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. GM opted to voluntarily recall about 721,000 vehicles worldwide for defective internal engine parts ― the crankshaft and connecting rods ― damaged during the manufacturing process. Any vehicle engines that don't pass inspections at the dealership level will need to be replaced. Models impacted include Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV; Chevy Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL produced for 2021–24 model years. Jackie Charniga covers General Motors for the Free Press. Reach her at jcharniga@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: General Motors commits $888M to build next-gen V-8 engine in New York Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Dodge plans gas-powered Charger but will cut cheaper electric variant
Dodge is pulling the plug, so to speak, on its base model electric Charger Daytona, the R/T, as it deals with slow sales, but don't expect what appears to be a limited-edition run of vehicles to turn into collector's items, according to a key industry watcher. 'Rarity does not make a collectible. You need to have demand for it,' said Sam Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasting for AutoForecast Solutions. 'You can't presume that this will be a Charger Daytona of 1970. They couldn't sell those originally and years later they were collectible.' Fiorani said it's risky to bet on a car of today becoming something that brings big dollars in the years to come, even when the numbers of those made and sold are relatively small. Still, Dodge will continue to offer the more powerful and expensive electric Charger Daytona Scat Pack for the upcoming model year, even as it prepares to launch several gas-powered versions. While it's not clear how many Dodge Charger Daytonas will be produced this year, so far the sales picture is showing a fairly light impact. Electric Charger sales — the company did not distinguish between versions — for the first three months of this year were at 1,947. Granted, they were just beginning to arrive in showrooms in January after months of delays. However, the automaker likely had higher hopes. Fiorani noted that he'd recently driven by a Dodge dealership and saw a row of Chargers waiting to be sold. In a statement, Dodge CEO Matt McAlear said 'production of the Dodge Charger Daytona R/T is postponed for the 2026 model year as we continue to assess the effects of U.S. tariff policies. The Charger's flexible, multi-energy STLA Large platform allows us to focus on the Charger Daytona Scat Pack's performance as the world's quickest and most powerful muscle car, add the new four-door model to the Charger mix for the 2026 model year and lean into the new Charger SIXPACK models that will launch in the second half of the year.' Sixpack refers to the engine, the inline-six Hurricane, which will come in 550-horsepower or 420-horsepower variants. The current electric Scat Pack promises a peak power base of 630 horsepower with a limited push-button burst to 670 horsepower called the Power Shot. The Dodge website lists the Scat Pack all-wheel drive with a starting price of $73,985, excluding destination charge. Adding gas-powered versions to the lineup is not a surprise, as Dodge had previously said that was the plan. However, the decision, reported earlier by to end the electric R/T's run so soon does highlight how the market has changed, both in terms of the slower adoption of electric vehicles and President Donald Trump's embrace of tariffs. The Charger Daytona is assembled at the Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario, but the batteries initially were to come from South Korea. Fiorani offered some perspective on the potential tariff impact, however. 'Everybody is leaning on tariffs for every change in production or sales, whether real or not,' he said. Market realities are, however, what they are. More: Detroit automakers want Silicon Valley talent, but need Michigan engineering knowledge 'The idea that an internal combustion engine version would hit the market better at the moment is a strong one,' according to Fiorani. 'Buyers haven't warmed up to EVs as a performance vehicle yet, especially since every EV is a performance model now.' Fiorani noted also that the company's planned shift in production volume toward the gas-powered Charger would also take the focus off the less expensive EV version — the R/T was listed with a starting price of $59,595, not counting destination. '(They) kind of want to focus on the vehicle that will make money versus the entry-level models that will sell on price,' Fiorani said. The moves for Dodge follow news that Ram is also adjusting its electric plans. Crain's Detroit Business, citing a memo to suppliers, reported this week that the electric Ram 1500 REV would be delayed until summer 2027, a year later than what the automaker told the Free Press in January, and the extended range Ramcharger is being pushed from later this year to early next year. More: U.S. auto industry wants trade deal with Canada and Mexico to be Trump's priority The company, in a statement provided by spokesman Nick Cappa, cited "slowing consumer demand for half-ton" battery electric pickups and noted that "we also are extending the quality validation period for the Range Extended Ram to support a successful launch and the highest build quality." Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@ Become a subscriber. Submit a letter to the editor at This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dodge pivots on future EV offerings after lackluster sales Sign in to access your portfolio
USA Today
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
Dodge is pulling the plug on electric Charger Daytona R/T amid lackluster sales
Dodge is pulling the plug on electric Charger Daytona R/T amid lackluster sales Show Caption Hide Caption Stellantis: The automaker's history, legacy Explore the history of Stellantis, the automotive giant formed in 2021 through the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group. Fewer than 2,000 electric Dodge Charger Daytonas sold in the United States in the first three months of 2025. Dodge will launch gas-powered Chargers later this year. Dodge is pulling the plug, so to speak, on its base model electric Charger Daytona, the R/T, as it deals with slow sales, but don't expect what appears to be a limited-edition run of vehicles to turn into collector's items, according to a key industry watcher. 'Rarity does not make a collectible. You need to have demand for it,' said Sam Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasting for AutoForecast Solutions. 'You can't presume that this will be a Charger Daytona of 1970. They couldn't sell those originally and years later they were collectible.' Fiorani said it's risky to bet on a car of today becoming something that brings big dollars in the years to come, even when the numbers of those made and sold are relatively small. Still, Dodge will continue to offer the more powerful and expensive electric Charger Daytona Scat Pack for the upcoming model year, even as it prepares to launch several gas-powered versions. While it's not clear how many Dodge Charger Daytonas will be produced this year, so far the sales picture is showing a fairly light impact. Electric Charger sales – the company did not distinguish between versions – for the first three months of this year were at 1,947. Granted, they were just beginning to arrive in showrooms in January after months of delays. However, the automaker likely had higher hopes. Fiorani noted that he'd recently driven by a Dodge dealership and saw a row of Chargers waiting to be sold. In a statement, Dodge CEO Matt McAlear said 'production of the Dodge Charger Daytona R/T is postponed for the 2026 model year as we continue to assess the effects of U.S. tariff policies. The Charger's flexible, multi-energy STLA Large platform allows us to focus on the Charger Daytona Scat Pack's performance as the world's quickest and most powerful muscle car, add the new four-door model to the Charger mix for the 2026 model year and lean into the new Charger SIXPACK models that will launch in the second half of the year.' Sixpack refers to the engine, the inline-six Hurricane, which will come in 550-horsepower or 420-horsepower variants. The current electric Scat Pack promises a peak power base of 630 horsepower with a limited push-button burst to 670 horsepower called the Power Shot. The Dodge website lists the Scat Pack all-wheel drive with a starting price of $73,985, excluding destination charge. Adding gas-powered versions to the lineup is not a surprise, as Dodge had previously said that was the plan. However, the decision, reported earlier by to end the electric R/T's run so soon does highlight how the market has changed, both in terms of the slower adoption of electric vehicles and President Donald Trump's embrace of tariffs. The Charger Daytona is assembled at the Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario, but the batteries initially were to come from South Korea. Fiorani offered some perspective on the potential tariff impact, however. 'Everybody is leaning on tariffs for every change in production or sales, whether real or not,' he said. Market realities are, however, what they are. 'The idea that an internal combustion engine version would hit the market better at the moment is a strong one,' according to Fiorani. 'Buyers haven't warmed up to EVs as a performance vehicle yet, especially since every EV is a performance model now.' Fiorani noted also that the company's planned shift in production volume toward the gas-powered Charger would also take the focus off the less expensive EV version – the R/T was listed with a starting price of $59,595, not counting destination. '(They) kind of want to focus on the vehicle that will make money versus the entry-level models that will sell on price,' Fiorani said. New car prices surge: Car-buying frenzy continues, pushing new vehicle prices higher The moves for Dodge follow news that Ram is also adjusting its electric plans. Crain's Detroit Business, citing a memo to suppliers, reported this week that the electric Ram 1500 REV would be delayed until summer 2027, a year later than what the automaker told the Free Press in January, and the extended range Ramcharger is being pushed from later this year to early next year. The company, in a statement provided by spokesman Nick Cappa, cited "slowing consumer demand for half-ton" battery electric pickups and noted that "we also are extending the quality validation period for the Range Extended Ram to support a successful launch and the highest build quality." Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@ Become a subscriber. Submit a letter to the editor at
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Dodge plans gas-powered Charger but will cut cheaper electric variant
Dodge is pulling the plug, so to speak, on its base model electric Charger Daytona, the R/T, as it deals with slow sales, but don't expect what appears to be a limited-edition run of vehicles to turn into collector's items, according to a key industry watcher. 'Rarity does not make a collectible. You need to have demand for it,' said Sam Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasting for AutoForecast Solutions. 'You can't presume that this will be a Charger Daytona of 1970. They couldn't sell those originally and years later they were collectible.' Fiorani said it's risky to bet on a car of today becoming something that brings big dollars in the years to come, even when the numbers of those made and sold are relatively small. Still, Dodge will continue to offer the more powerful and expensive electric Charger Daytona Scat Pack for the upcoming model year, even as it prepares to launch several gas-powered versions. While it's not clear how many Dodge Charger Daytonas will be produced this year, so far the sales picture is showing a fairly light impact. Electric Charger sales — the company did not distinguish between versions — for the first three months of this year were at 1,947. Granted, they were just beginning to arrive in showrooms in January after months of delays. However, the automaker likely had higher hopes. Fiorani noted that he'd recently driven by a Dodge dealership and saw a row of Chargers waiting to be sold. In a statement, Dodge CEO Matt McAlear said 'production of the Dodge Charger Daytona R/T is postponed for the 2026 model year as we continue to assess the effects of U.S. tariff policies. The Charger's flexible, multi-energy STLA Large platform allows us to focus on the Charger Daytona Scat Pack's performance as the world's quickest and most powerful muscle car, add the new four-door model to the Charger mix for the 2026 model year and lean into the new Charger SIXPACK models that will launch in the second half of the year.' Sixpack refers to the engine, the inline-six Hurricane, which will come in 550-horsepower or 420-horsepower variants. The current electric Scat Pack promises a peak power base of 630 horsepower with a limited push-button burst to 670 horsepower called the Power Shot. The Dodge website lists the Scat Pack all-wheel drive with a starting price of $73,985, excluding destination charge. Adding gas-powered versions to the lineup is not a surprise, as Dodge had previously said that was the plan. However, the decision, reported earlier by to end the electric R/T's run so soon does highlight how the market has changed, both in terms of the slower adoption of electric vehicles and President Donald Trump's embrace of tariffs. The Charger Daytona is assembled at the Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario, but the batteries initially were to come from South Korea. Fiorani offered some perspective on the potential tariff impact, however. 'Everybody is leaning on tariffs for every change in production or sales, whether real or not,' he said. Market realities are, however, what they are. More: Detroit automakers want Silicon Valley talent, but need Michigan engineering knowledge 'The idea that an internal combustion engine version would hit the market better at the moment is a strong one,' according to Fiorani. 'Buyers haven't warmed up to EVs as a performance vehicle yet, especially since every EV is a performance model now.' Fiorani noted also that the company's planned shift in production volume toward the gas-powered Charger would also take the focus off the less expensive EV version — the R/T was listed with a starting price of $59,595, not counting destination. '(They) kind of want to focus on the vehicle that will make money versus the entry-level models that will sell on price,' Fiorani said. The moves for Dodge follow news that Ram is also adjusting its electric plans. Crain's Detroit Business, citing a memo to suppliers, reported this week that the electric Ram 1500 REV would be delayed until summer 2027, a year later than what the automaker told the Free Press in January, and the extended range Ramcharger is being pushed from later this year to early next year. More: U.S. auto industry wants trade deal with Canada and Mexico to be Trump's priority The company, in a statement provided by spokesman Nick Cappa, cited "slowing consumer demand for half-ton" battery electric pickups and noted that "we also are extending the quality validation period for the Range Extended Ram to support a successful launch and the highest build quality." Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@ Become a subscriber. Submit a letter to the editor at This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dodge pivots on future EV offerings after lackluster sales
