Why GM is Committed to its V-8 Engines When Other Automakers are Shifting to Smaller Power Plants

The massive numbers speak for themselves, the Chevrolet small-block V-8 is the most used engine in automotive history, powering more than 100 million vehicles since 1955. The V-8 powers more than half of all 2026 Chevrolet Silverados sold.  I have done countless stories on all sorts of power plants, including a new Inline 4 turbo that is a small, more efficient version of an Inline 6 Turbo engine. Yet, GM is doubling down on producing more V8s and sales figures show why. Chevrolet and GMC sell more V-8-powered pickup trucks than any other manufacturer, with V-8s accounting for roughly 50-60% of their full-size truck sales. In 2025, Chevrolet and GMC combined sold more full-size trucks than Ford. 

I wrote in January that truck sales saved the year for both Ford and GM.

“GM’s and Ford’s yearly sales are both up six percent, based in large part, on the strong demand for gasoline-powered trucks. Sales for both are so good that the two companies are once again battling over which automaker has the best-selling trucks. Ford says “F-Series secured its 49th consecutive year as America’s best-selling truck, and 44 years as America’s best-selling vehicle with total sales of 828,832 trucks in 2025— an increase of 8.3%.” GM counters with strong sales of its full-size trucks. “GM is America’s full-size pickup leader for the 6th straight year, with the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra recording their best combined sales in 20 years. GM led the full-size SUV market for the 51st consecutive year.”

Technically, both statements are true. The discrepancy is tied to the names. The F-Series counts the Ford trucks that carry the F name, like F-150, F-250, etc. When you add them all up, Ford wins. However, if you add GM’s full-size truck sales together, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the GMC Sierra 1500 beat out the F-150 with sales of about 925,000.  Either way you add them up, that’s a lot of trucks and the sales are keeping the Detroit Three going.

EVs are Important but V-8s Power Profit

While GM insists that it is aggressively pursuing an EV future. It is also wisely investing in a sixth-generation V-8. GM is investing $888 million in its Tonawanda Propulsion plant to support the production of the sixth generation of GM’s V-8 engines, used in full-size trucks and SUVs. The new generation of engines is expected to deliver stronger performance than today's engines while benefiting fuel economy and reducing emissions. New combustion and thermal management innovations are a key factor driving these improvements. GM has also invested $500 million over the last few years to upgrade its Flint Engine plant for production of the sixth generation of V-8 engines. Eventually both plants will produce the new generation of engines.

When GM announced the Tonawanda investment last year, Chair and CEO Mary Barra said. “Our significant investments in GM’s Tonawanda Propulsion plant show our commitment to strengthening American manufacturing and supporting jobs in the U.S., GM's Buffalo plant has been in operation for 87 years and is continuing to innovate the engines we build there to make them more fuel efficient and higher performing, which will help us deliver world-class trucks and SUVs to our customers for years to come.”

Right now, the small block V-8 engine powers the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Heavy-Duty pickup trucks, the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban SUVs, GMC Sierra 1500, and Heavy-Duty pickup trucks, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL SUVs. The V-8 is the main engine for the Cadillac Escalade, the top-selling luxury SUV. Of course, the V-8 also powers the legendary Chevrolet Corvette.

GM is keeping the small-block V-8 because it works and it is what many buyers want. The sixth-generation V-8 is promising better fuel economy and lower emissions which also appeal to buyers. While GM looks to its more-electric future, it is also wisely investing in what is providing profits. If it is true that about 93 percent of all Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon,  and Yukon XL models are equipped with V-8 engines, GM is smart to listen to its buyers.  

Chevrolet Photo

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

Follow Mary Conway at @MaryConwayMedia and send her car news tips for future stories.