Tonawanda Engine (now known as Tonawanda Propulsion) is a General Motors engine factory in Buffalo, New York. The plant consists of three facilities totaling and sits upon . The factory receives cast engine blocks from Defiance Foundry in Defiance, Ohio and Saginaw Metal Casting Operations in Saginaw, Michigan, and received engine block castings and cylinder heads from the former Massena Castings Plant in Massena, New York.
History The campus houses three different engine plants. Plant#1, located at 2995 River Road in Buffalo, was built in 1938; Plant#4, located at 2390 Kenmore Avenue, was built in 1941; and Plant#5, located at 240 Vulcan Street, was built in 2001.
Investments 2010 $425 million for the next Generation Ecotec 2.0:/2.5L 2010 $400 million for a new V-8 small block engine 2020 $6.7 million for upgrades to GenV engine program 2025 $888 million for the sixth generation of GM's V-8 engines
Products Ecotec Gen III 2.0L Turbo 2.5L Small-Block Engine GenV 4.3L V6 Truck & Marine 5.3L V8 Truck 6.2L V8 Truck 6.2L V8 LT1, LT4, LT2 6.6L V8 HD Truck Small-Block Engine Gen 6 Production to begin in 2027
Total engines produced since 1938 – 77 Million as of Summer 2025
On August 5, 2025, Tonawanda Propulsion made its 77 millionth engine, an LT2.
Product applications Ecotec Gen III Buick: Regal Cadillac: ATS and CTS Chevrolet: Malibu, Impala, and Camaro Opel: Insignia Small Block Gen V Chevrolet: Silverado GMC: Sierra LT1 & LT4 Chevrolet: Corvette, Camaro
Awards Ward's Best Engines 2014 - 6.2L LT1 Small Block GenV Ward's Best Engines 2013 - 2.0L Turbo Ecotec GenII Ken-Ton Chamber of Commerce Green Globe Award for being a leader in Green Manufacturing, 2013 EPA ENERGY STAR Challenge for Industry Recipient, 2010 Certificate of Appreciation from WNY Chapter 77 Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter
Employee information Hourly: 1,498 Salary: 237 Union Local: UAW Local 774
See also List of GM factories
References
External links General Motors: Tonawanda Engine