General Motors (GM) will temporarily halt production of its BrightDrop electric delivery vans at its CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, due to slow sales. The shutdown will result in the temporary layoff of approximately 1,200 workers, according to Unifor, the union representing the employees.

The production halt is scheduled to begin on April 14, 2025, with workers expected to return in May for a limited production run. Subsequently, the plant will cease production again until October 2025. During this downtime, GM plans to retool the CAMI plant to prepare for the production of the 2026 model year BrightDrop vans.

When production resumes in October, the plant will operate on a single shift, leading to the indefinite layoff of nearly 500 workers, the union stated.

GM clarified that this decision is an "operational and employment adjustment to balance inventory and align production schedules with current demand" and is not related to the recently imposed auto tariffs. The company affirmed its commitment to the future of the BrightDrop brand and the CAMI plant, promising to support employees during this transition. Battery assembly for the EVs will continue at the CAMI plant during this period.

Unifor National President Lana Payne expressed strong disappointment, calling the move "a crushing blow to hundreds of working families in Ingersoll and the surrounding region." She urged GM to minimize job losses and called on all levels of government to support Canadian auto workers and Canadian-made products.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged the "deeply painful news" for autoworkers in Ingersoll and across Canada's auto industry on social media platform X. He stated his government's commitment to defending the auto sector, protecting workers, and building Canadian supply chains.

Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, also on X, pledged his commitment to protecting Canadian auto workers and criticized the tariffs, promising to secure a fair deal that safeguards Canadian sovereignty and the economy.

GM reported selling 274 BrightDrop vans in the first quarter of 2025, a slight increase from the 256 units sold in the same period last year. However, this modest growth appears insufficient to sustain the current production levels at the Ontario plant. Reports indicate that GM is offering significant discounts on BrightDrop vans in the U.S. due to slow sales.

This production halt at the CAMI plant follows concerns about the impact of recently imposed tariffs on the automotive industry, although GM insists the decision is purely market-driven. The broader implications for Canada's electric vehicle manufacturing ambitions and the livelihoods of auto workers remain a significant concern.