On the Dash:
- GM is ending BrightDrop van production in Ontario, affecting about 1,200 workers.
- The automaker is prioritizing U.S.-based gas vehicle production under new trade and policy conditions.
- Canada’s auto industry faces growing strain from tariffs and reduced EV investment.
General Motors (GM) will end production of its BrightDrop electric delivery vans at the CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, marking another setback for Canada’s auto industry as the company pivots its focus toward gas-powered vehicles built in the United States. The automaker confirmed during its third-quarter earnings call that the decision follows slower-than-expected demand for commercial EVs and the rising costs of electric vehicle production, The Detroit News reported.
The move impacts roughly 1,200 workers, including 950 who have been on temporary layoff since May, when BrightDrop production was paused. GM had initially planned to restart production later this year, but instead will discontinue the program entirely. The automaker said it will work with Unifor, the Canadian autoworkers union, and government officials to explore future opportunities for the Ontario plant.
The decision comes amid a broader strategy shift by GM under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has emphasized investment in U.S.-based, gas-powered vehicle production and reduced incentives for EV manufacturing. GM has recently reversed or scaled back several electric programs, including plans to build electric pickups at its Orion Assembly plant in Michigan and EV drive units at its Toledo Propulsion Plant in Ohio. The company also announced that the next-generation Cadillac CT5 sedan will remain gas-powered and be built in Lansing, Michigan, according to a report by The Detroit News.
GM’s retreat from BrightDrop adds to a growing list of challenges facing Canada’s automotive sector, which has been affected by Trump’s 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts. The CAMI facility, which received a $760 million upgrade to support EV production, now faces an uncertain future. Unifor, representing more than 1,000 affected workers, has called on Canadian leaders to push back against what it describes as economic pressure from the U.S. and to protect domestic manufacturing jobs.
Despite the pullback, GM executives reiterated their long-term commitment to EVs, describing them as the company’s “North Star.” However, near-term priorities now focus on bolstering profitability through U.S.-based gas vehicle and engine production as global demand for electric vehicles continues to slow.
