GM ends BrightDrop production at CAMI Assembly, citing weak demand and regulatory challenges.
Workers to receive six months’ pay; future of CAMI facility under review with partners.
GM continues EV battery and truck operations across other Canadian manufacturing and tech facilities.
General Motors has ended production of its BrightDrop electric delivery van at the CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, following prolonged market challenges (extremely slow sales) and idle operations since May 2025, and this, despsite interest from Amazon in the electric van.
The company confirmed that the vehicle will not be manufactured at any other location.
The decision comes as the commercial electric vehicle market has grown at a slower pace than initially forecast, and numerous competitors offering similar vehicles for same or less money. GM cited a changing regulatory environment and the removal of electric vehicle tax credits in the United States as additional hurdles affecting demand. The painful move for Canada is part of GM’s reassessment of the company’s EV production strategy across North America.
“This continues to be an uncertain time for our workforce at CAMI, and we are committed to working closely with our employees, Unifor and the Canadian and Ontario governments as we evaluate next steps for the future of CAMI,” said Kristian Aquilina, president and managing director of GM Canada.
Hourly employees impacted by the shutdown will receive six months of salary, with the possibility of lump sum payments and additional benefits under terms outlined in the collective agreement with Unifor.
GM emphasized that the CAMI workforce’s performance was not a factor in the decision and expressed appreciation for previous support from both the federal and provincial governments. Discussions are planned to explore new opportunities for the facility.
The company highlighted that its Canadian operations remain a core part of its North American business, with over 7,000 employees across multiple sites including manufacturing plants, a technical and software development centre, and corporate offices.
Ontario’s CAMI Plant | Photo: GMOther Canadian manufacturing operations continue unaffected. Oshawa Assembly builds both light-duty and heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado trucks. St. Catharines Propulsion Plant produces engines for high-demand pickups and SUVs. In Quebec, GM and POSCO Future M are jointly developing a $600 million facility in Bécancour to produce materials for EV battery cells.
GM Canada’s Technical Centre supports over 1,000 engineers, developers, and specialists in advanced vehicle development and software engineering across three Ontario sites.
