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GM Permanently Ends BrightDrop Van Production at Ontario CAMI Plant

GM cites a slower-than-expected commercial EV market following the lapse of U.S. tax credits.

The Chevrolet BrightDrop EV Van Is Dead: News
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A worker adds a muffler to the sub-assembly at the CAMI Automotive Inc. plant assembly line in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada, on Monday, Nov. 9, 2009. CAMI, a joint venture between General Motors Co. and Suzuki Motor Corp., is investing C$90 million ($85 million) and bringing back about 150 employees to meet increased demand for GM sport-utility vehicles. Photographer: Norm Betts/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Overview

  • The automaker confirmed it will not shift BrightDrop production elsewhere, leaving the Ingersoll facility’s next assignment under review with Unifor and federal and provincial officials.
  • Hourly CAMI employees are being offered six months of pay with potential lump‑sum benefits under the collective agreement.
  • Executives pointed to weak fleet demand and expiring U.S. incentives as vans accumulated in lots, despite a late‑Q3 sales rush before credits ended on September 30.
  • GM has recorded roughly $1.6 billion in charges tied to an EV capacity reset and signaled more adjustments, while increasing resources for profitable internal‑combustion models such as the Chevrolet Equinox.
  • BrightDrop sales remained limited—3,976 year‑to‑date through Q3 after 1,529 in 2024—even as competitors like Ford and Rivian posted larger commercial EV van totals.