While it continues to invest billions in new production facilities to supply batteries for its future electric lineup, GM remains committed to its V-8 lineup, even announcing the development of a new sixth-generation small V-8.
The automaker announced Friday that it will invest $854 million in four U.S. production facilities in preparation for making parts for new small models.
Much of the investment will go to Flint Engine Operations in Michigan, which will assemble the V-8 and key components such as the airframe and crank, as well as handle machining of the nose.
Other plants that will make parts for the engines include Bay City GPS in Michigan, Defiance Operations in Ohio and Rochester Operations in New York.
GM said some plants will also receive additional investment to prepare them for production of electric vehicle components.
GM said the release of the new V-8 will help strengthen its full-size truck and SUV business, suggesting the engine is primarily designed for those types of vehicles.
GM’s current fifth-generation family of small engines, introduced in 2013, includes the LT2 6.2-liter V-8 that debuted in the C8 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and the LT5 supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 that powers the C7 Corvette ZR1.
Details of the sixth-generation small block were not mentioned in Friday’s production announcement, although rumors suggest it will include some form of fuel-saving cylinder deactivation technology.
GM says it remains committed to an all-electric future and has previously announced 2035 as a target date for that switchover, at least for its light-duty lineup. Other major automakers have taken a more aggressive stance, with Audi planning to launch its last combustion-engined car in 2026. Mercedes-Benz has also said it hopes to have fully electric vehicles around 2030.