CAMI to end Equinox in early 2022, start EV600 later that year
Two shifts expected at plant in 2023
General Motors is speeding up the transition from Equinox to BrightDrop at its CAMI assembly plant in Ingersoll, ON. The move is expected to bring forward the launch as well as double the number of vehicles built in the first year of production.
“We are ramping up our support for BrightDrop production at CAMI to serve the growing market for electric delivery solutions,” said Scott Bell, GM Canada president and managing director. “CAMI will play a key role in GM’s vision for a zero-emissions future.”
BrightDrop is GM’s new electric delivery vehicle arm. The first vehicle from the company is the EV600, a light commercial vehicle designed to deliver goods and services. Think of it as a replacement for the gas-powered UPS, FedEx, and Purolator trucks you see everywhere all day these days.
Currently, CAMI builds the Chevrolet Equinox, but that production will now end in April of 2022. BrightDrop expects to build some vehicles in the US this year, but will move the equipment to CAMI next spring. GM says the move will speed up the plant changeover.
After four months of retooling, BrightDrop production is expected to start at CAMI in November of next year, and GM expects two shifts in 2023. It says three shifts in 2024 are possible.
BrightDrop is a new GM business that is intended to disrupt the traditional commercial delivery and logistics system. It will offer interconnected delivery vehicles as well as electric pallets and a fleet management software program that GM says will help businesses to reduce costs and lower urban emissions and congestion.
