Latest news with #TaraWasik
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Why GM is Investing Almost $1 Billion in Combustion Engines While Others Go Electric
Why GM is Investing Almost $1 Billion in Combustion Engines While Others Go Electric originally appeared on Autoblog. GM's been resolute, for the most part, on electrification. With the Silverado EV released and a mix of electric SUVs across the Chevy and Cadillac brands (Escalade iQ and Lyriq, Chevy Equinox and Blazer EV), the brand has committed harder than any other American automaker. That's not to say the automaker's commitment to internal combustion is gone, though. Tonawanda Propulsion, a GM-owned plant covering 190 acres and comprising three separate facilities, has received nearly $900 million in funding, securing over 850 jobs and production of GM's sixth-generation V8 engine. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article The investment is important to a lot of people. 'This investment marks an exciting new chapter for our plant,' said Tara Wasik, the plant's director. "This is a testament to the hard work of the membership of Local 774,' said Raymond Jensen Jr. in an interview with local news. 'It's extremely important to the community, to the surrounding areas, and to New York State itself." The impressive sum of $888 million will go towards new machinery, equipment, tools, and renovations as part of the more than $1.5 billion GM has invested in New York State in the last 15 years. It's also hardly the first time in recent memory that GM has extended the V8's lifespan. In 2023, GM invested $579 million in its Flint, Michigan production site. There, too, V8 production will continue to chug along. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article However, it doesn't account for the $300 million commitment made two years ago in union negotiations to produce electric vehicles, specifically at Tonawanda. And it's not the first area where GM has had to pump the brakes on EV endorsements. The company has sold off its stake in a battery production facility to its partner, LG Energy. In other areas, GM has pushed back against California's 2035 plan to eliminate sales of gas-only vehicles, which is now, by the way, completely dead. On the other hand, GM pushed into the number two spot for April EV sales, capturing nearly 15% of EV sales. Getting mixed signals? Us too, but we blame the current political and economic climate, not necessarily GM. Outfitting the plant for V8 production is important for CEO Mary Barra, too. 'Our significant investments in GM's Tonawanda Propulsion plant show our commitment to strengthening American manufacturing and supporting jobs in the U.S.,' she said in a press release. She further emphasized the plant's importance to the brand, citing its 87 years of operation. The plant will finish production of GM's fifth-gen V8 before commencing work on the sixth-gen product. This $888 million investment marks the largest single investment GM has ever made in an engine-producing facility. The fact that it happens to make V8s is almost irrelevant; it implies the combustion engine at large still has several decades of work ahead of it. GM isn't faring poorly in the EV arena, either, so unlike other automakers that have rekindled V8 production, this isn't a crutch. GM's going where the money is, and that's just good business. Why GM is Investing Almost $1 Billion in Combustion Engines While Others Go Electric first appeared on Autoblog on May 29, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Auto Blog
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Why GM is Investing Almost $1 Billion in Combustion Engines While Others Go Electric
It feels like just a few years ago, V8 engines were destined for an early extinction. But in the face of disappearing EV incentives and changing demands, more and more automakers, like GM, are sticking with combustion. V8s may be disappearing, but GM's apparently aren't going anywhere GM's been resolute, for the most part, on electrification. With the Silverado EV released and a mix of electric SUVs across the Chevy and Cadillac brands (Escalade iQ and Lyriq, Chevy Equinox and Blazer EV), the brand has committed harder than any other American automaker. That's not to say the automaker's commitment to internal combustion is gone, though. Tonawanda Propulsion, a GM-owned plant covering 190 acres and comprising three separate facilities, has received nearly $900 million in funding, securing over 850 jobs and production of GM's sixth-generation V8 engine. The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe rolls off the line at GM's Arlington Assembly plant. A worker at GM's Bedford Casting Operations in Indiana Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. (Photo by AJ Mast for General Motors) The investment is a 'new chapter' for the plant, but it's also a change of direction for GM The investment is important to a lot of people. 'This investment marks an exciting new chapter for our plant,' said Tara Wasik, the plant's director. 'This is a testament to the hard work of the membership of Local 774,' said Raymond Jensen Jr. in an interview with local news. 'It's extremely important to the community, to the surrounding areas, and to New York State itself.' The impressive sum of $888 million will go towards new machinery, equipment, tools, and renovations as part of the more than $1.5 billion GM has invested in New York State in the last 15 years. It's also hardly the first time in recent memory that GM has extended the V8's lifespan. In 2023, GM invested $579 million in its Flint, Michigan production site. There, too, V8 production will continue to chug along. CEO Mary Barra addresses the gathering during the grand opening celebration at the GM Factory ZERO EV assembly plant. (Photo by Rob Widdis for General Motors) GM Oshawa Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada However, it doesn't account for the $300 million commitment made two years ago in union negotiations to produce electric vehicles, specifically at Tonawanda. And it's not the first area where GM has had to pump the brakes on EV endorsements. The company has sold off its stake in a battery production facility to its partner, LG Energy. In other areas, GM has pushed back against California's 2035 plan to eliminate sales of gas-only vehicles, which is now, by the way, completely dead. On the other hand, GM pushed into the number two spot for April EV sales, capturing nearly 15% of EV sales. Getting mixed signals? Us too, but we blame the current political and economic climate, not necessarily GM. CEO Mary Barra emphasizes the importance of heritage and US jobs Outfitting the plant for V8 production is important for CEO Mary Barra, too. 'Our significant investments in GM's Tonawanda Propulsion plant show our commitment to strengthening American manufacturing and supporting jobs in the U.S.,' she said in a press release. She further emphasized the plant's importance to the brand, citing its 87 years of operation. The plant will finish production of GM's fifth-gen V8 before commencing work on the sixth-gen product. Final thoughts This $888 million investment marks the largest single investment GM has ever made in an engine-producing facility. The fact that it happens to make V8s is almost irrelevant; it implies the combustion engine at large still has several decades of work ahead of it. GM isn't faring poorly in the EV arena, either, so unlike other automakers that have rekindled V8 production, this isn't a crutch. GM's going where the money is, and that's just good business.
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Why GM is Investing Almost $1 Billion in Combustion Engines While Others Go Electric
GM's been resolute, for the most part, on electrification. With the Silverado EV released and a mix of electric SUVs across the Chevy and Cadillac brands (Escalade iQ and Lyriq, Chevy Equinox and Blazer EV), the brand has committed harder than any other American automaker. That's not to say the automaker's commitment to internal combustion is gone, though. Tonawanda Propulsion, a GM-owned plant covering 190 acres and comprising three separate facilities, has received nearly $900 million in funding, securing over 850 jobs and production of GM's sixth-generation V8 engine. The investment is important to a lot of people. "This investment marks an exciting new chapter for our plant," said Tara Wasik, the plant's director. "This is a testament to the hard work of the membership of Local 774," said Raymond Jensen Jr. in an interview with local news. "It's extremely important to the community, to the surrounding areas, and to New York State itself." The impressive sum of $888 million will go towards new machinery, equipment, tools, and renovations as part of the more than $1.5 billion GM has invested in New York State in the last 15 years. It's also hardly the first time in recent memory that GM has extended the V8's lifespan. In 2023, GM invested $579 million in its Flint, Michigan production site. There, too, V8 production will continue to chug along. However, it doesn't account for the $300 million commitment made two years ago in union negotiations to produce electric vehicles, specifically at Tonawanda. And it's not the first area where GM has had to pump the brakes on EV endorsements. The company has sold off its stake in a battery production facility to its partner, LG Energy. In other areas, GM has pushed back against California's 2035 plan to eliminate sales of gas-only vehicles, which is now, by the way, completely dead. On the other hand, GM pushed into the number two spot for April EV sales, capturing nearly 15% of EV sales. Getting mixed signals? Us too, but we blame the current political and economic climate, not necessarily GM. Outfitting the plant for V8 production is important for CEO Mary Barra, too. "Our significant investments in GM's Tonawanda Propulsion plant show our commitment to strengthening American manufacturing and supporting jobs in the U.S.," she said in a press release. She further emphasized the plant's importance to the brand, citing its 87 years of operation. The plant will finish production of GM's fifth-gen V8 before commencing work on the sixth-gen product. This $888 million investment marks the largest single investment GM has ever made in an engine-producing facility. The fact that it happens to make V8s is almost irrelevant; it implies the combustion engine at large still has several decades of work ahead of it. GM isn't faring poorly in the EV arena, either, so unlike other automakers that have rekindled V8 production, this isn't a crutch. GM's going where the money is, and that's just good business. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
GM to invest $888M in New York to produce next-gen V8 engine
This story was originally published on Automotive Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Automotive Dive newsletter. General Motors plans to invest $888 million in its Tonawanda Propulsion plant in Buffalo, New York, to support production of the next generation of its V8 gas engine for full-size trucks and SUVs, the automaker announced in a press release Tuesday. The investment will be used to install new machinery, equipment and tools, as well as for facility renovations. The plant will continue producing the fifth generation of GM's V8 engine while preparing to start production of the new version in 2027. The automaker's next-generation V8 engine will feature combustion and thermal management improvements designed to boost performance, reduce emissions and improve fuel economy, according to GM. The planned investment in New York is GM's largest-ever commitment in an engine manufacturing plant. The Tonawanda Propulsion plant will become the second plant to produce the next generation GM V8 engine. In January 2023, the automaker announced an investment of $579 million in its Flint Engine plant in Michigan to produce V8 engines for its full-size trucks and SUVs. 'Our significant investments in GM's Tonawanda Propulsion plant show our commitment to strengthening American manufacturing and supporting jobs in the U.S.,' said Mary Barra, GM Chair and CEO. 'GM's Buffalo plant has been in operation for 87 years and is 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.' GM's Tonawanda Propulsion plant has been operational since 1938 and originally assembled 6-cylinder engines and axles for Chevrolet vehicles. In addition to producing engines for GM's trucks and SUVs, the plant also builds engines for the Chevrolet Corvette. Employees at the plant are represented by UAW Local 774. 'This investment marks an exciting new chapter for our plant,' said Tara Wasik, plant director at Tonawanda, in the release. 'For generations, our team has demonstrated its commitment to manufacturing excellence. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting the Western New York community and steadfast in our mission to deliver world-class propulsion systems to our customers.' GM did not share details about which V8 engine the Tonawanda plant will manufacture and whether it will replace one of its current V8 engine models. The automaker offers a 5.3L and 6.2L V8 gas engine option for the 2025 Chevy Silverado pickup. GM also manufactures the L8T 6.6-liter V8 engine in Tonowanda, which is offered on the 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and other heavy-duty truck models. Automotive Dive reached out to GM for clarification, but did not receive a response prior to publication. In April, GM recalled nearly 600,000 model year 2021-2024 truck and SUV models equipped with its fifth-generation L87 6.2 liter engine, which first debuted in model year 2019 vehicles. The recall is due to a manufacturing defect that has led to catastrophic engine failures in some cases, according to the company. To date, GM had identified over 28,000 complaints potentially related to the issue. Recommended Reading GM recalls nearly 600K SUVs, pickups over engine failures Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
GM to invest $888 million in US powertrain plant
General Motors has announced plans to invest $888 million in its Tonawanda Propulsion plant to support the production of the sixth generation of GM's V-8 engines, used in full-size trucks and SUVs. GM says the new generation of engines is expected to deliver stronger performance than today's engines while 'benefiting fuel economy and reducing emissions'. New combustion and thermal management innovations are a key factor driving these improvements, the company says. Tonawanda Propulsion will continue to produce the fifth generation of GM's V8 engine while the plant prepares for the next generation's start of production in 2027. GM said the investment marks the largest single investment the company has ever made in an engine plant and makes Tonawanda the second GM propulsion plant to produce this new generation of engines. In January 2023, the company announced a half-billion-dollar investment in its Flint Engine plant for production of the sixth generation of V8 engines. 'Our significant investments in GM's Tonawanda Propulsion plant show our commitment to strengthening American manufacturing and supporting jobs in the US,' said Mary Barra, Chair and CEO. 'GM's Buffalo plant has been in operation for 87 years and is 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.' The investment includes new machinery, equipment, and tools, as well as facility renovations. 'This investment marks an exciting new chapter for our plant,' said Tara Wasik, plant director at Tonawanda. 'For generations, our team has demonstrated its commitment to manufacturing excellence. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting the Western New York community and steadfast in our mission to deliver world-class propulsion systems to our customers.' "GM to invest $888 million in US powertrain plant" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
