ANN ARBOR, Mich., April 29, 2010 -- GM has announced that it will invest more than $890 million in five plants to build a new generation of fuel-efficient small block truck and car engines. The five plants that will receive the updates are: Tonawanda, N.Y.; Defiance, Ohio; Bedford, Ind.; Bay City, Mich. and St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. The move is expected to create or keep about 1600 jobs.

GM says that the new engines achieve their fuel savings via the use of direct injection technology and advanced combustion system design. The engines will have aluminum engine blocks, be E85 ethanol capable, and be designed to meet stringent emissions standards expected to emerge in the future.

Each facility will be renovated with new flexible engine machining and assembly equipment, and special tooling designed for manufacturing efficiency and engine quality will be installed.

“GM is investing in our plants, restoring and creating jobs and making progress toward our vision of designing, building and selling the world’s best vehicles,” said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America. “These latest investments show our commitment to improving fuel economy for buyers of every GM car, truck and crossover and giving them the best possible driving and ownership experience.”

Details regarding which vehicles will receive the new engines and specifics about each new engine will be revealed later.