Who makes Chevy engines?
Chevrolet engines are built by General Motors (GM).
GM designs and manufactures its engines through the Global Propulsion Systems division, with production occurring at GM-owned engine plants around the world. Modern Chevrolets primarily rely on GM-developed engine families such as EcoTec3, the traditional small-block V8, turbocharged four-cylinders, and Duramax diesels—produced across GM’s global network. In some cases, engines are assembled at dedicated joint-venture facilities or specialized plants (notably Duramax).
GM's role in engine making
GM’s engine development is centralized under Global Propulsion Systems, responsible for designing, validating, and manufacturing propulsion hardware for Chevrolet and other GM brands. This structure allows shared engineering across Chevrolet’s lineup to optimize performance, efficiency, and durability.
Duramax diesel engines: a notable exception
While most Chevrolet engines come from GM’s own plants, Duramax diesel engines are produced at DMAX, a joint venture between General Motors and Isuzu, located in Moraine, Ohio. This partnership handles the design and final assembly of GM’s heavy-duty diesel platforms used in Silverado, Sierra, and related models.
Engine families used in Chevy models
The following overview highlights the main engine families Chevrolet uses and the broader system behind their manufacture. Production responsibilities sit with GM’s engine plants and, in some cases, with a joint venture like DMAX, rather than third-party automakers.
- EcoTec3 family: includes aluminum V6s and V8s such as the 5.3L and 6.2L used in Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, Camaro, and other models. These engines are developed and produced by GM within its Global Propulsion Systems network.
- Small-block V8 family: the long-running backbone of many Chevrolet vehicles, with modern iterations built at GM engine facilities as part of the GM propulsion system.
- Turbocharged four-cylinder family: 1.4L and 1.5L turbo engines used in compact and mid-size Chevrolets, produced by GM’s engine plants and supplied to various Chevrolet models globally.
- Diesel engines: Duramax variants used in heavy-duty pickups and some SUVs, produced in collaboration with DMAX in Moraine, Ohio, and integrated into GM’s propulsion lineup.
Engine production assignments can shift with model-year updates and regional supply chains, but GM maintains centralized control of engine design and manufacturing through its Global Propulsion Systems to ensure consistency across Chevrolet offerings.
Why GM's engine production matters
The centralized approach supports consistency, efficiency, and spare-parts compatibility across Chevrolet’s lineup, helping owners experience reliable performance and easier maintenance across generations of vehicles sharing engine families.
Summary
Chevrolet engines are designed and manufactured primarily by General Motors, via its Global Propulsion Systems network. The core engine families—EcoTec3, small-block V8, turbocharged four-cylinders, and Duramax diesels—are produced at GM-owned plants, with Duramax diesel engines produced at DMAX, a GM-Isuzu joint venture. This structure provides Chevrolet with consistent engineering and performance across models, albeit with occasional exceptions for specialized powertrains.
