GM to build new V-8 engine at Tennessee plant

General Motors said on Thursday it will invest $22 million at its Spring Hill, Tenn., plant to build fuel-efficient 6.2-liter, V-8 engines for GM's large pickups and SUVs.

The Spring Hill complex, originally built in 1990 for GM's now-defunct Saturn brand, also makes the popular GMC Acadia large crossover and Cadillac XT5 crossover. It employs about 3,800 people.

GM claimed the new V-8's Dynamic Fuel Management technology is "the industry’s first cylinder deactivation technology, which enables the engines to operate in 17 different cylinder patterns to optimize performance. DFM enables only the cylinders needed to deliver the power a customer wants."

“This investment will enable our Spring Hill team to continue building our award-winning engines enhanced with technology that will improve fuel efficiency and performance for our customers,” GM CEO Mary Barra said during a plant visit. “This investment reflects our commitment to vehicles and technologies our customers desire today and in the future.”

Meanwhile, the complex is slated to begin production of the Cadillac XT6 later this year. Barra attended an event at the plant to celebrate the planned launch of the three-row crossover. GM is investing $300 million and hiring 200 people for production of the new model. 

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that new jobs would be created by the new engine line. The 200 new jobs are being added for XT6 production.