GM Temporarily Halts CAMI Plant Operations Amid Sluggish Demand, 500 Jobs to Be Cut
General Motors (GM) has announced a temporary shutdown of its CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, citing low consumer demand for electric delivery vans as the key factor behind the move. The decision will result in the layoff of approximately 500 workers, raising concerns about the future of electric vehicle (EV) production in Canada’s automotive sector.
The CAMI plant, which had been retooled to produce GM’s BrightDrop electric delivery vans, will pause production starting later this spring. While GM describes the halt as temporary, no specific timeline has been provided for when operations might resume, fueling uncertainty among workers and local industry stakeholders.
“Due to lower than expected demand for the BrightDrop Zevo 600, we have made the difficult decision to adjust production schedules at CAMI,” GM said in a statement. “This adjustment will unfortunately impact around 500 of our valued team members.”
The announcement comes less than two years after GM celebrated the plant’s transformation into Canada’s first large-scale EV manufacturing facility, a milestone that was hailed as a major step toward a greener automotive future. The federal and provincial governments had jointly invested in the retooling process, hoping to position Ontario as a leader in the global EV supply chain.
However, changing market conditions, inflation, and shifting logistics strategies among major fleet operators have softened the demand for electric delivery vehicles. While GM remains committed to its EV roadmap, the CAMI pause illustrates the volatility and growing pains within the sector.
Unifor, the union representing workers at the CAMI facility, has expressed disappointment and concern over the job losses. “This is a major blow to our members and their families,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “We will be working closely with GM to explore all possible options for job protection and transition support.”
Local leaders in Ingersoll have also reacted to the news with frustration, calling on both GM and the government to ensure long-term viability for the plant and its workforce. “This plant has been the economic heart of our community,” said one municipal official. “We need a clear plan moving forward.”
Industry analysts view the temporary shutdown as part of a broader recalibration across the electric vehicle sector, where initial optimism has been tempered by real-world challenges in production costs, charging infrastructure, and consumer adoption rates.
Despite the setback, GM reiterated that it remains committed to the CAMI facility and plans to resume operations when market conditions improve. The company is also continuing to expand its EV lineup and invest in battery technology and software innovation across North America.
For now, however, the future remains uncertain for hundreds of workers in Ingersoll as Canada’s auto industry grapples with the transition to electrification.
Source : Swifteradio.com
