
General Motors invests $888 mn in US plant for next-gen V-8 engine production
is investing $888 million in its
Tonawanda Propulsion
plant to produce the sixth generation of its V-8 engines, which are used in full-size trucks and SUVs, with the goal of improved performance, fuel economy, and reduced emissions by 2027.
The investment will support new machinery, equipment, and facility renovations, marking the largest single investment GM has ever made in an engine plant. This move aims to strengthen American manufacturing and support jobs in the US.
The new generation of engines will feature advancements in combustion and thermal management. GM anticipates that these innovations will lead to enhanced performance compared to the current engines, while also improving fuel efficiency and lowering emissions.
'Our significant investments in GM's Tonawanda Propulsion plant show our commitment to strengthening American manufacturing and supporting jobs in the U.S.,' said Mary Barra, Chair and CEO.
Previous investments
This investment follows a previous commitment made in January 2023, where GM announced a $500 million investment in its Flint Engine plant for the production of the same sixth generation V-8 engines. Tonawanda will be the second GM propulsion plant to produce this new engine.
The Tonawanda Propulsion plant has been in operation for 87 years. GM aims to continue innovating the engines built at the plant. The goal is to make them more fuel efficient and higher performing. This will help GM deliver world-class trucks and SUVs to its customers.
The investment will be used for new machinery, equipment, and tools and facility renovations.
'This investment marks an exciting new chapter for our plant,' said
Tara Wasik
, plant director at Tonawanda.
Tonawanda Propulsion is represented by UAW Local 774. The plant will continue to produce the fifth generation of GM's V-8 engine.

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First Post
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- First Post
How decline of PM Ishiba's LDP reflects ‘Trump effect' on Japan
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The electoral system gives voters two votes: one for a candidate in their local constituency and another for a political party through proportional representation. Fifty of the seats were filled via the latter method, with the remaining 75 chosen by direct constituency vote. Prior to the election, the LDP-Komeito coalition held 75 uncontested seats. Their target was modest: secure at least 50 seats out of the 125 up for grabs, enough to maintain a slim majority. However, the results fell short. The coalition won only 47 seats, three fewer than needed for a majority. The LDP, under Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, lost 13 seats, while Komeito dropped six. Meanwhile, the opposition bloc made substantial gains, securing a combined total of 78 seats. Rising Discontent and Economic Anxiety Much of the disillusionment with the ruling coalition centres around economic frustrations. Inflation, long dormant in Japan, has resurfaced, now hovering above 3 per cent. 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His campaign framed foreign labour not as a solution to economic issues but as a scapegoat for them, blaming multinational corporations and globalist elites for Japan's domestic struggles. In addition to opposing immigration, Kamiya has proposed a fully independent Japanese defence force, free from US military dependency, and called for resisting American trade demands, especially in sensitive sectors like rice, beef, and automobiles. Ironically, while he borrows heavily from Trump's playbook, Kamiya positions himself as a defender of Japanese sovereignty against Trump policies that have been seen as exploitative or unfair toward Japan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The appeal of Sanseito's messaging, particularly among younger voters, reflects growing frustration with the LDP's perceived ineffectiveness and over-accommodation of foreign pressures. Disenchanted by stagnant wages, mounting taxes, and a sense that their voices are not heard, many young people turned away from the political mainstream and toward populist alternatives. 'Trump Effect' A key question arising from the election results is whether the so-called 'Trump effect' played a role in undermining Prime Minister Ishiba's leadership. While Ishiba has not openly opposed US influence, he has had to walk a diplomatic tightrope in recent months. His administration has faced increasing pressure from the Trump administration to increase Japan's defence spending beyond 3.5 per cent of GDP, a highly sensitive topic for many Japanese voters. Although Japan has already boosted its military budget, purchased American defence equipment, and increased its contributions to US bases on Japanese soil, the Trump administration has continued to impose punitive trade tariffs. Japan, alongside South Korea, is subject to a 25 per cent tariff bracket under Trump's trade regime, based on claims that Japan has not sufficiently opened its domestic markets, particularly in agriculture and automobiles. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a notable diplomatic rebuke, Japan recently cancelled a scheduled '2+2' security dialogue with the US. While Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi did attend a Quad summit in Washington, the Ishiba administration had hoped that a strong showing in the Upper House elections would enhance its leverage in ongoing trade negotiations with both the US and EU. That hope, however, now appears dashed. Post elections, Ishiba said regarding the tariff negotiations with the US, he wanted to talk in person with President Donald Trump as soon as possible to realise an agreement that is mutually beneficial. A Crisis of Confidence Public confidence in Ishiba's ability to manage relations with the US and restore Japan's economic vitality has deteriorated. 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'We must understand the responsibility as the leading party and the one we have to fulfil for the nation,' Ishiba said. He also signalled his intention to keep his position after the election, saying, 'I am keenly aware of [my] responsibilities.' Japan's political future is now uncertain. The ruling coalition's dual minority status will complicate legislative efforts and make it harder to implement any coherent agenda. Ishiba's government will likely face increasing internal dissent, coalition instability, and challenges from both the left and right. Whether this leads to early elections, leadership change, or further fragmentation of Japan's political landscape remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the 'Trump effect'—embodied in both American policy and its global ideological footprint—has found fertile ground in Japan's political soil. 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Time of India
24 minutes ago
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Indian Express
24 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Days of US tech companies building factories in China, hiring workers in India over: Trump
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