GM defies market logic and bets billions on new V8 even with the electric era knocking at the door

While much of the automobile industry accelerates towards full electrification, General Motors appears to be going against the grain.

The American automaker is investing billions of dollars just in the infrastructure needed to produce a new generation of its V8 engine — something that will only start to get off the ground in 2027.

For many, this sounds like nonsense, after all, weren’t combustion engines supposed to have their days numbered?

In any case, GM has a straightforward answer: customers still want V8 engines. And more than that, they are buying.

About half of Chevrolet buyers Silverado 1500 opt for one of the V8 versions offered, with emphasis on the 5.3 liter, present in 42% of sales.

The 6.2 liters accounts for another 8%. Impressive numbers, especially when compared to the competitor Ford F-150where only a quarter of customers choose the available V8 engine.

This appeal for the traditional eight-cylinder engine is not limited to pickup trucks. Models such as Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon and Escalade continue to be in strong demand in the USA — all with V8 engines as standard or optional.

Unlike rivals who surrendered to turbocharged V6s or even hybridsGM maintains its classic recipe: aspirated engines, without turbos, with simple control, which deliver solid power and significantly lower production costs.

There is also a relevant economic factor in this equation. Despite having invested heavily in the development of electric models such as the Silverado EV and Hummer EV, sales were well below expectations.

In this scenario of uncertainty in the electric car market and consumers still reluctant to abandon combustion, betting on simpler, cheaper engines with known maintenance has become a safer path for GM.

The contrast is even more evident when looking at the stance of other brands.

A Ramfor example, abandoned the famous Hemi V8 and started offering the Hurricane, a six-cylinder turbo that was not immediately popular.

The negative repercussion was so great that the company is already talking about bringing back the V8 as a way of making amends with the public.

With the new V8 engine scheduled to go into production within two years, GM is reinforcing its position that, at least in the American market, there is still plenty of room for the bass sound and raw power of a V8.

In times of economic uncertainty, technological fluctuations and not always accurate bets on electrification, the old recipe of traditional power continues to be, for many, the most reliable option — and for GM, a bet that still yields good dividends.

(Fonte: The Drive)