Reports say more than 1,000 jobs at risk but auto manufacturer insists commercial demand simply not there
General Motors is ending production of its BrightDrop electric delivery vans at the CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ont., a move that puts more than 1,000 jobs at risk and marks another setback for Ontario’s automotive sector.
The company cited lower-than-expected demand for the commercial electric vehicles as the reason for the shutdown, according to reports by the Financial Post and CBC. Production had already been paused in May, with workers temporarily laid off, and the plant was scheduled to restart in November with a single shift. Now, GM says there are no immediate plans for new production at the facility.
"These Bright Drop vans are a specialized electric delivery van for commercial customers and, quite simply, we just have not seen demand for these vehicles climb to the levels that we initially anticipated. This has nothing to do with tariffs or trade. It's simply a demand and a market-driven response,” said Kristian Aquilina, president of GM Canada.
The closure is expected to have a significant impact on the plant’s workforce. GM has committed to providing six months’ salary and additional support to affected employees, in line with the collective agreement. However, the lack of a new product mandate for the plant has left the future of more than 1,000 unionized workers uncertain.
Unifor Local 88 president Mike Van Boekel described the news as “devastating” for workers. “We’ve shown up for every ask, every time. And now, to be met with this short-sighted decision is frustrating and disheartening,” he said in a letter to members.
The CAMI plant, which received significant federal and provincial investment for its conversion to electric vehicle production, was previously seen as a cornerstone of Ontario’s EV ambitions. The closure comes amid broader industry challenges, including Stellantis’s recent decision to move Jeep Compass production from Brampton, Ont., to Illinois, and ongoing uncertainty related to U.S. regulatory changes and tariffs.
Federal and provincial governments have announced the formation of a “response group” to seek new opportunities for the CAMI facility and help preserve jobs.
GM has not announced any new plans for the Ingersoll plant. The company’s decision is the latest in a series of blows to Canada’s auto sector, raising concerns about the future of manufacturing jobs in the province.
