As previously covered by GM Authority back in January 2023, workers at the GM Tonawanda plant in New York were concerned about a nearly $600 million investment into the GM Flint Engine plant in Michigan, and where that would leave them in GM’s transition to an all-electric future. Now, under a tentative agreement reached with the UAW, the Detroit-based automaker has agreed to invest a significant amount of funds into the facility’s electric future.
Following negotiations with the union, The General has committed to investing $300 million into the Tonawanda facility to build EV drive units. Notably, this investment is part of the tentative contract between the two aforementioned parties, as the unionized members need to vote on whether or not to ratify the agreement.
For reference, the Tonawanda plant currently produces Gen 5 V8s for GM pickups, SUVs and the C8 Corvette, including the naturally aspirated 6.2L LT2 V8 gasoline engine and the naturally aspirated 5.3L L84 V8 gasoline engine. Notably, the GM Spring Hill plant in Tennessee also manufactures V8 engines, and will also receive EV production investments.
It’s worth noting that General Motors invested $76 million in the Tonawanda plant back in 2020 to facilitate increased V8 production output. Furthermore, the Spring Hill facility is set to convert to an EV-only complex in a few years.
This development is just one of a long list of investments General Motors has announced over the past few months. Some examples of other EV-related investments include:
- GM Orion plant – $4 billion for future electric vehicles
- GM Spring Hill plant – $2 billion for Cadillac Lyriq production along with another GM EV and the Acura ZDX
- GM Lansing River plant – $1.25 billion for electric vehicle production
- GM Toledo plant – $760 million for drive unit production
- GM Fairfax plant – $391 million for future electric vehicle
- GM Warren plant – $81 million for Cadillac Celestiq production
- GM Defiance plant – $8 million for EV casting cell
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Comments
Surprising news. From everything I’ve heard over the past couple of years, it was a certainty that the plant was going to close by the end of the decade.
I highly doubt this would’ve happened without the strike considering the Ultium-related factories weren’t union prior.
That’s where my old Corvette 327 was built. Great news for GM and Tonawanda, New York.
Thats where my old Chevelle 454 was built too! The Number 1 Team!
Based on the way EV’s are not selling that better focus on gas engines
Totally agree. Government shoving EV’s down our throats, and people are not buying. B U S T
My ‘68 Camaro SS 396 L34? engine was also built at Tonawanda Plant.
Looking at the summary of electric vehicle technology investment GM is taking credit for it appears to be approx. $8.5B for the 7 plants as referenced. Last year GM received $2.5B from Fed and $.5B from state of Michigan alone for EV R&D. Don’t believe this includes Independent Research and Development (IR&D) funding typically 15-20% of a development projects cost also subsidized by US Gov’t. Adding to reduction GM’s actual costs. Other deductions tax write offs, etc. will reduce GM’s investment costs even more.,
Point is there’s plenty of incentive funds to develop what the US government wants and minimal funds to develop what the US Gov’t doesn’t want.
Unclear if the best interest of the people even applies here.
Good news for them. I still think the future is EV’s, I just wish GM would have offered more plug in hybrids to help with the transition.
Thinking about it a bit further, I would “guesstimate” at least 50% if not more of the EV investment GM claims it is making here is likely subsidized by federal and state funds. All funds courtesy of US taxpayer dollars.
Interesting that I didn’t see any vote for EV funding subsidies using our tax dollars at the polls today!
I haven’t seen any GM district managers driving EV’s yet. I guess Mary doesn’t want to pay them to sit a charging station. While they’re on the road. They would probably spend 8 hours a week charging.
I retired from Tonawanda engine in 2008 with 30 years at GM, one month shy of my 50th birthday. God bless the UAW.
EV may be here to stay but ICE will never go away.
Driving down the highway with the water on my left and the plant on the right, I had a smile on my face and a tear in my eye thinking about the days of the BIG BLOCK when they made it just right!
I guess G.M. missed the recent memo saying the buying public isn’t interested in EV’s for a variety of reasons….never learn, never mind.
My 1967 427 police interceptor proudly displayed ‘Built By The Tonawanda Team’ on the valve cover. ICE forever!
Tonawanda builds the 6.6L L8T as well.
Bump!!
Anyone heard plans for this plant after this gen V8 besides EV? I read somewhere maybe the next after next if it there is one. Also possible surge production once full rate of next Gen running.
I feel like the EV parts production plan fell flat.
There hasn’t been a sign out front (it’s covered up) in many months. Did the close the front office building? I originally thought maybe a storm took the sign out but saw it looks covered up instead. Drive by it everyday in my way to work with my 2.0L Tonawanda assembled motor.