General Motors Canada said it will invest $691 million in its St. Catharines Propulsion Plant to support production of its next-generation V-8 engine.
In a news release, the company said the sixth-generation engine will power high-demand vehicles, while the plant continues producing the current generation during the transition. Equipment for the new program is already arriving, with production preparation underway.
“Today’s announcement confirms St. Catharines will play a key role in one of our core vehicle programs for years to come,” said Jack Uppal, President and Managing Director of GM Canada, in a statement.
St. Catharines will become one of three GM facilities producing the new engine, alongside plants in New York and Michigan, forming part of an integrated North American propulsion network aimed at sustaining output for full-size pickups.
The investment includes new machinery, tooling and facility upgrades, and builds on broader commitments to Canadian manufacturing, including $343 million for Oshawa Assembly to support next-generation gas-powered pickups.
The announcement highlights a continued reliance on large trucks and SUVs. While electrification remains a long-term industry shift, the investment suggests sustained demand for gasoline-powered vehicles, particularly in high-volume, high-margin categories.
It also points to ongoing complexity in inventory planning, as automakers balance EV development with continued production of internal combustion models to meet current market demand.
