New York State plant gets US$300 million to build new GM engine

Buffalo, New York – General Motors has announced it will invest US$300 million in its GM Powertrain Tonawanda plant, near Buffalo, New York, to manufacture an all-new DOHC V8 engine. Production is slated to begin in 2009.

“This all-new engine will play a critical role in GM’s exciting future luxury vehicle portfolio,” says John Buttermore, GM Powertrain vice president of global manufacturing. “As one of the most technically advanced engines in GM, its power and smoothness will be among the world’s best, and yet more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly.”

The investment includes renovation to part of the plant, new machinery, and tooling to support the new engine production. Renovations are expected to begin this fall, with 150 jobs saved through the program. To date, GM has invested a total of US$1.5 billion in the Tonawanda plant in the last ten years; the plant, which employs 1,860 people, has produced nearly 67 million engines since it opened in 1938.