General Motors has officially announced the discontinuation of production for its BrightDrop electric delivery vans at the CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll, leading to uncertainty surrounding the future of the southwestern Ontario facility. Production was halted in May due to a slowdown in demand for commercial electric vehicles, with GM confirming that BrightDrop vehicles will not be manufactured elsewhere, signaling the end of a line that was anticipated to play a pivotal role in Ontario’s electric vehicle initiatives.
Kristian Aquilina, GM Canada’s president and managing director, explained that the specialized BrightDrop vans designed for commercial clients did not achieve the expected demand levels, attributing the decision solely to market dynamics rather than tariffs or trade issues. The news came as a significant setback for the 1,200 workers at the plant, many of whom have faced layoffs in recent months.
The launch of BrightDrop in 2021 was a key milestone in GM’s transition to an all-electric future, but the company acknowledged that the commercial EV sector’s growth has been slower than anticipated. Aquilina highlighted ongoing operations in Oshawa and St. Catharines, along with a new $600 million battery-materials facility under construction in Bécancour, Quebec, to underscore GM’s commitment to Canada amid the changes at the CAMI plant.
The Ingersoll facility, which has operated below capacity since late 2022 following a substantial retooling investment, has been a vital economic engine for the region since its establishment in 1989. The announcement indicated that hourly employees would receive six months’ salary and potential lump-sum payments as per the collective agreement with Unifor, the union representing workers at the plant.
While addressing concerns about the impact on taxpayer investments, Aquilina mentioned ongoing discussions with government partners to explore alternative opportunities. Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy emphasized the province’s commitment to safeguarding jobs and maintaining assembly operations in Ontario, highlighting the crucial role of the auto and manufacturing sectors in the provincial economy.
GM’s decision follows Stellantis’ recent announcement of a $13 billion investment in expanding manufacturing capacity in the U.S., a move that will shift production of the Jeep Compass from Ontario to Illinois, raising concerns about Canadian jobs. Unifor has called for government intervention to protect Canadian auto jobs amid industry shifts and emphasized the importance of securing a new mandate for the CAMI Assembly plant to ensure its long-term viability.