GM Is Spending $1.3 Billion to Keep V8 Trucks Alive
General Motors has announced $830 million in investments at three key propulsion plants in Michigan and Ohio to support the launch of the company's next-generation full-size trucks and SUVs. The $830 million investments also include some production work recently started at these sites.
In addition to the investment in U.S. production, GM also said it is investing half a billion dollars in a Canadian plant that will make the next-generation small-block V8 engines for the automaker's upcoming full-size trucks and SUVs.
$830 Million for Three U.S. Propulsion Plants
The bulk of the U.S. investments-$300 million-will be allocated to Romulus Propulsion Systems in Michigan, to increase production of 10-speed automatic transmissions. The gearboxes are used in GM's most popular products, including the next-generation full-size trucks and SUVs.
The new investment adds to a previous one of $300 million the site received in late 2025 to support this work. The facility in Romulus, Michigan has approximately 1,000 employees.
GM also said it is investing a further $40 million at Toledo Propulsion Systems in Ohio to support capacity increases in 10-speed transmissions for light-duty trucks. This is in addition to a previous $40 million investment announced to employees in March. The Toledo facility is a support plant for some of GM's most high-demand products and employs around 1,650 people.
In addition to the investments in the two propulsion plants, GM announced it is allocation $150 million to Saginaw Metal Casting Operations in Michigan to increase head casting volume for Gen 6 V8 engines that will be used by next-generation full-size pickup trucks and Corvettes.
The combined $830 million investment in U.S. propulsion sites brings GM's investments in domestic manufacturing to over $6 billion over the past 12 months.
$506 Million to Build Gen 6 V8s at Canadian Plant
In a separate but related announcement, GM Canada said it is investing C$691 million ($506 million) in its St. Catharines Propulsion Plant to support production of the sixth-generation V8 engine for GM's upcoming full-size trucks and SUVs. The investment will go toward funding new machinery, equipment and tooling, as well as significant facility renovations at the site.
Equipment has already begun arriving at the site, which will continue to produce the Gen 5 V8 engine while preparing for the changeover.
The investment makes St. Catharines the third GM propulsion plant to build Gen 6 engines alongside Tonawanda Propulsion Plant in Buffalo, New York, and Flint Engine Operations in Flint, Michigan. These three plants will enable GM to meet customer demand for the high-volume full-size pickups and SUVs in North America.
The engines built at St. Catharines will mainly supply GM Canada's Oshawa Assembly in Ontario, which will produce the automaker's next generation of gas-powered full-size pickup trucks. The site is GM's only North American plant building both light-duty and heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado pickups on the same line.
GM's Gen 6 V8 engine is expected to deliver stronger performance than the current generation, thanks to new combustion and thermal management innovations.
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This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 2:15 PM.