GM Ends BrightDrop Van Output in Setback for Canada Autos
Automaker Stops Assembly Line That Made Electric Vans in Ontario
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General Motors Co. is ending production of electric delivery vans at a plant in southern Ontario, dealing another blow to a Canadian auto sector that is hemorrhaging jobs.
The automaker is stopping the assembly line that made BrightDrop vans in the town of Ingersoll, Ontario. The future of the CAMI plant was already in doubt after GMannounced in Aprilit would halt production for months because of weak demand. It sold just 274 of them in the first quarter.
“A changing regulatory environment and the elimination of tax credits in the United States have made the business even more challenging,” GM said in a statement Oct. 21. “The decision is part of broader adjustments the company is making to North America EV capacity.” It’s not moving production of the van to the U.S.
The company said it will speak with the union and the Canadian and Ontario governments about the future of the factory, which lies about halfway between Detroit and Toronto.
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GM has taken a series of measures to reduce electric vehicle manufacturing capacity because of weak sales and policy moves by the Trump administration that are likely to further erode consumer demand for the product. The White House eliminated consumer EV tax credits last month and has effectively nullified fuel economy and emissions standards.
Canada’s auto sector sells most of its output into the U.S. market and has been severely hurt by President Donald Trump’s tariffs and his hostility to foreign auto imports. Earlier this year, GM said it would reduce production of pickup trucks at its other Canadian assembly plant in Oshawa, Ontario — though it recentlypausedthat plan.
Last week, Stellantis NV ended plans to manufacture the Jeep Compass SUV at its plant near Toronto, putting 3,000direct jobson the line and many more at nearby suppliers. The Canadian government hasthreatened legal actionagainst the automaker.Industry Minister Melanie Joly said she would consider Stellantis in “default” in light of government support extended to the automaker.
Stellantis plans to make that vehicle at a plant in Illinois instead.
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Joly told reporters Oct. 21 the moves by GM and Stellantis are “completely different situations.” Stellantis had an “obligation” to bring back production to its Brampton, Ontario, plant and it has failed to do so. GM, on the other hand, made a decision based on the commercial viability of its BrightDrop vehicle, she said.
“Of course we’ll hold them to account for any support we’ve given them to develop that model. But at the same time, we are creating a response group to make sure that we’re bringing a new model because 1,200 workers at the Ingersoll plant need to know that we’re fighting for their jobs,” Joly said.
