GM Invests $691M CAD to Build Next-Gen V8 Engines in Canada for Full-Size Trucks and SUVs

General Motors (GM) is expanding production of its next-generation small block V8 engines with a new $691 million CAD (approximately $504.9 million USD) investment in its St. Catharines Propulsion Plant in Ontario, Canada. The facility will join existing plants in Flint, Michigan, and Tonawanda, New York, as a third production site for the automaker’s sixth-generation V8 powerplants.

The new 6.7-liter V8 engine, which replaces the outgoing 6.2-liter unit, will debut in the 2027 Chevrolet Corvette. GM plans to roll out the engine across its full-size truck and SUV lineup, including the Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe, and Suburban; GMC Sierra and Yukon; and Cadillac Escalade. Some of these vehicles will be assembled at GM’s nearby Oshawa Assembly plant in Ontario.

Investment Details and Plant Upgrades

The $691 million CAD investment will fund new machinery, equipment, tooling, and facility renovations at the St. Catharines plant. While the facility will continue producing fifth-generation engines temporarily, it will eventually transition to manufacturing the new V8 powerplants. Equipment deliveries have already begun.

GM Canada President Jack Uppal emphasized the significance of the investment, stating:

"This investment confirms St. Catharines will play a key role in one of our core vehicle programs for years to come, and it reflects General Motors’ confidence in the St. Catharines team and their proud 74-year legacy of powering our most popular vehicles."

Performance Expectations for the New V8

The new V8 engine follows the introduction of the LS6 powerplant in the 2027 Corvette, which delivers 535 horsepower (399 kW / 542 PS) and 520 pound-feet (704 Nm) of torque. Industry analysts anticipate similar performance gains for the truck and SUV variants, projecting an increase of approximately 40 horsepower (30 kW / 41 PS) and 50 pound-feet (68 Nm) over current models.

This would bring the estimated output for trucks and SUVs to around 460 horsepower (343 kW / 466 PS) and 510 pound-feet (691 Nm) of torque. GM is also expected to offer a smaller displacement V8 option alongside other engine configurations to meet diverse customer needs.

Production Timeline and Expansion Plans

GM has already announced major investments at its Flint Engine Operations in Michigan and the Tonawanda Propulsion Plant in Buffalo, New York, in preparation for the transition to the new engine family. The St. Catharines facility will further solidify GM’s domestic production capacity for high-demand vehicles, reinforcing its commitment to North American manufacturing.