GM Ends Production of BrightDrop
General Motors today confirmed the end of production of the BrightDrop electric delivery van built at CAMI Assembly in Ingersoll, Ontario. BrightDrop production will not be moved to another site.
The commercial electric delivery van market developed much slower than expected with the plant operating below capacity and production suspended since May 2025. A changing regulatory environment and the elimination of tax credits in the United States have made the business even more challenging. The decision is part of broader adjustments the company is making to North America EV capacity.
“The decision to end production of the BrightDrop electric delivery van is driven by market demand and in no way reflects the commitment and skill of our workforce at CAMI,” said Kristian Aquilina, president and managing director of GM Canada. “This continues to be an uncertain time for our workforce at CAMI, and we are committed to working closely with our employees, Unifor and the Canadian and Ontario governments as we evaluate next steps for the future of CAMI.”
GM appreciates that support from Canadian and Ontario Governments enabled investments in CAMI and is looking forward to engaging with our partners to have meaningful discussions about opportunities for the plant.
The company will work with Unifor to follow the provisions of the collective agreement, and hourly employees will receive six months of salary and the potential for lump sum payments and other benefits.
“Our Canadian operations continue to be a critical part of GM and our North America business,” said Aquilina. “We employ thousands of Canadians across our manufacturing facilities, a multi-campus advanced tech and software centre, parts distribution network, and corporate offices. For more than 100 years, GM has been designing, engineering and building vehicles in Canada and we intend to keep doing so.”
GM Canada Fast Facts
- GM Canada employs over 7,000 Canadians across manufacturing facilities, a multi-campus advanced tech and software centre, parts distribution network, and corporate offices.
- ~ 34,000 retirees supported through GM pensions and benefits.
- ~ 450 dealerships nationwide, with over 20,000 employees contributing to local economies while representing Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac.
- GM Canada’s operations support thousands of indirect jobs created across suppliers, logistics, services, and technology firms.
Manufacturing
- GM has invested more than C$2.6 billion in Canadian manufacturing in the past five years alone, including a $280 million investment to support production of next-generation full-size pickups.
- Oshawa Assembly is GM’s only North American plant building both light-duty and heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado pickups on the same line, and a portion of Oshawa continues to support aftermarket parts focused on stamping, related sub-assembly and other activities for GM.
- St. Catharines Propulsion Plant builds engines for our high demand pickups and SUVs.
Canadian Innovation and EV Supply Chain
- With over 1,000 engineers, developers, and technical experts across three Ontario locations, GM Canada’s Technical Centre is a key hub for advanced engineering, software development, and vehicle testing.
- GM and POSCO Future M are building a C$600 million facility in Bécancour, Quebec that will produce materials for GM’s EV battery cells.
