By SEMA News Editors
GM to Invest $888 Million in V8 Engine Production Plant
General Motors announced plans to invest $888 million in its Tonawanda Propulsion plant in Buffalo, New York, to support the production of the sixth generation of GM's V8 engines, used in fullsize trucks and SUVs.
This new generation of engines is expected to deliver stronger performance than today's engines while benefiting fuel economy and reducing emissions, according to GM representatives. New combustion and thermal management innovations are key factors driving these improvements.
The Tonawanda investment follows a 2023 half-billion-dollar investment in its Flint engine plant for the sixth generation of GM V8 engines. The latest investment includes new machinery, equipment and tools, as well as facility renovations.
Tonawanda Propulsion will continue to produce the fifth generation of GM's V8 engine while the plant prepares for sixth-generation production begins in 2027.
For more information, visit gm.com.
AAM Group Names Outstanding Suppliers and Contributors
The AAM Group presented 11 supplier awards at its recent annual Membership Meeting in Chicago. Highlighted by the Partnership and Group Impact Awards, the categories also included Full Growth Throttle, Pavement Pioneer, Most Influential Marketing, Aftermarket Visionary, Excellence in Education, Driven by Data and the Rookie of the Year.
Supplier Partner Winners
- Lippert accepted the prestigious Partnership Award, which honors the supplier that demonstrated outstanding overall performance across all award categories.
- Two Group Impact Awards were handed out this year, one to Air Lift and one to K&N Engineering for their tremendous contributions to the success and growth of AAM headquarters, members and resellers in their respective programs.
- RealTruck/BAK accepted the Full Growth Throttle Award, which recognizes the supplier partner that generated the greatest opportunity for profit across distribution and retail.
- The Pavement Pioneer Award was also accepted by Lippert for fielding the most robust outside sales presence, including actively maintaining strong relationships with jobbers and warehouses.
- The Most Influential Marketing Award has been given to Overland Vehicle Systems for exceptional marketing concepts and execution.
- Alongside their first award, Air Lift received recognition for the TOWTAL VIEW LANGUARD and received the Aftermarket Visionary Award.
- ICON Vehicle Dynamics has earned The AAM Group's Excellence in Education award, honoring their exceptional commitment to sales and product training that empowers jobbers and drives category growth.
- Presented with the Driven by Data Award, RealTruck and Ranch Hand earned special recognition for the quality and completeness of their product data.
- Gen-Y Hitch was awarded Rookie of the Year in recognition for their outstanding performance, engagement and impact as a new supplier partner.
Ambassador Award Winners
AAM also named seven recipients of the Ambassador Award, given to key individuals who exemplified their commitment to our shared mission of growing the aftermarket as a unified league.
- Albert Torres (RIGID Industries)
- Luke Stump (Gen-Y Hitch)
- Andrew Schroeder (RealTruck)
- Randy Williamson (Competition Specialties, Inc.)
- Alex Stein (Midwest Wheel)
- Royal Coburn (A1 Distributing)
- Ryan Carmona (Sunrise National Distributors)
For more information, visit theaamgroup.com.