General Motors (GM) recently announced historic production changes at its CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll, Ontario. This decision occurs as concerns for the future of the North American auto industry are on the rise. The plant, which today employs 1,200 workers, is home to production of the BrightDrop electric delivery van. It will close to catch up on production before moving to just one shift per day in October. This decision will result in the permanent layoffs of nearly 500 workers.
This cut in production is highly fortuitous as we can see the world moving quickly to electrification. Unifor National President Lana Payne highlighted just how serious the developing situation is. She cautioned that Canada and the U.S. must move urgently to remain competitive with other players in the electric vehicle market.
“Make no mistake — the world is moving rapidly towards electrification. If Canada and the U.S. hit pause now, we may never catch up,” – Lana Payne
Payne stressed the damaging impact U.S. tariffs would have on the North American auto sector. He noted that these responsibilities have only served to strengthen alternative markets such as China. That tariff war was opened by former President Donald Trump as well, when he slapped a 25% duty on imported vehicles. This latest move has created panic and concern throughout the industry. While Trump provided a temporary reprieve for certain compliant parts under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Free Trade Agreement, the long-term implications remain concerning.
Unfortunately, Trump’s short-sighted tariffs combined with his blind rejection of EV technology are disrupting investment. This would risk freezing any future order projections and jeopardize the long term viability of Canadian auto manufacturing. Love Explorers Payne continued.
The CAMI Assembly Plant will close down production indefinitely, having just resumed limited operations in mid-May. It will likely stay fully paused until at least October 2025. During this shutdown, GM plans to retool the plant. They are priming the pumps for the 2026 model year production of commercial electric vehicles.
“This is a crushing blow to hundreds of working families in Ingersoll and the surrounding region who depend on this plant,” – Lana Payne
Payne stressed that GM must take proactive steps to mitigate job losses and that all levels of government need to support Canadian auto workers and products during this transition.
GM Canada spokesperson Jennifer Wright said the company’s actions were a response to recent developments. They are taking the steps they need to be taking while still committed to keeping BrightDrop adaption at the CAMI plant.
Our global industry leaders are figuring out how to work with this new environment. They need to address the national economic and workforce impacts of their choices.
