Here's Why GM Is Continuing with V8 Engines While Others Move to Six Cylinders

      Caleb Jacobs

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      Last week, I published an article stating that the V8 is no longer the dominant engine for trucks in America. This shift is largely due to manufacturers like Ford dramatically increasing their production of six-cylinder engines, while Toyota has transitioned to a V6-only lineup for the Tundra. Consequently, V8-powered vehicles represented only 38% of truck registrations in 2024, whereas six-cylinder models accounted for 47.6%.

      So, why is General Motors investing $888 million in the production of the next-generation small-block V8?

      The straightforward answer is that there remains a demand for it. We contacted GM for their take on this significant investment in the Tonawanda Engine Plant in New York, and a spokesperson indicated that this move is to meet buyers' preferences. "We’re making these investments to provide our customers choice when it comes to vehicles and the powertrains we offer," the representative stated.

      It's not surprising that GM, among the Big Three automakers in Detroit, is the one making this investment. Data from Chevrolet demonstrates that half of all new Silverado 1500s are equipped with a V8, whether it's the 5.3-liter (42%) or the 6.2-liter (8%). In contrast, Ford mentioned that only about a quarter of its F-150s come with a V8.

      GM aims to strengthen its V8 lineup with the sixth-generation small-block set to launch in 2027. The strategy here is simple: cater to what customers desire. Ram missed this point when it phased out the Hemi in 2024 and is now working to reintroduce the V8 for its 2026 model year trucks. This significant investment in the propulsion plant ensures that GM customers will have access to V8 options for the foreseeable future.

      As I sought insights into GM's decision, I reached out to a group of automotive industry experts who assisted me with my previous V8 piece. Stephanie Brinley, principal automotive analyst at S&P Global Mobility, noted that GM utilizes its V8s in many more applications than just pickups.

      "For GM, the V8 is crucial for both the full-size truck and full-size SUV segments," Brinley explained. "The full-size SUVs are available with either an inline-six diesel or a V8. While Ford has transitioned to all V6 engines for the Expedition and Lincoln Navigator, registrations for those models were around 88,000 units in 2024. Meanwhile, GM’s full-size SUV registrations approached nearly 274,000 units, with about 93% of those featuring V8 engines. When you include full-size trucks, GM's V8 option availability significantly outpaces that of its full-size truck-based competitors."

      Indeed, the Chevy Tahoe reigns supreme, closely followed by the GMC Yukon. Even the Cadillac Escalade performs well in sales for a luxury model, and they all predominantly utilize the small-block V8.

      Moreover, the interest in electrified trucks has diminished considerably. This is yet another area where GM has heavily invested, as it currently offers battery-only variants of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra, in addition to the Hummer EV. Sam Abuelsamid, vice president of market research at Telemetry Agency, points out that the weak demand for electric trucks likely necessitated a strategic pivot.

      “It wasn’t surprising given the struggles of full-size electric trucks in the market,” Abuelsamid noted. “Since GM hasn't followed Ford, Toyota, and Stellantis down the turbo-six-cylinder route for truck engines, this is their most cost-effective path moving forward.”

      “It’s yet to be seen what GM is planning for the sixth-gen small block, but if they maintain the same pushrod OHV design, it holds distinct advantages over a turbo V6 in terms of cost, especially in comparison to a DOHC V8 like Ford’s Coyote regarding expenses and packaging,” Abuelsamid added.

      He even indicated it was "always inevitable" that the V8 would remain GM’s foundation for truck engines through the 2030s.

      Robby DeGraff, manager of product and consumer insights at AutoPacific, emphasized that this investment is primarily driven by customer demand for options—and, as his colleague pointed out, the dwindling interest in electrified pickups. “GM's sizable investment in the future of internal combustion engines reflects the current trends and stems from the consumer adoption rates for EVs not being as high as GM CEO Mary Barra and her team may have anticipated years ago,” he explained. “Even as engines with fewer cylinders become increasingly sophisticated through turbocharging and electrification, there will always be a consistent demand for eight cylinders from truck buyers, even if that number is decreasing.”

      “I think it has become clear how vital the V8 engine is for the future of the Detroit Three,” DeGraff continued. “Ford continues to invest in its development,