GM Canada says it's temporarily halting production and cutting staff at its CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ont., because of lower-than-expected demand for its electric delivery vehicles.
"CAMI is making operational and employment adjustments to balance inventory and align production schedules with current demand," said GM Canada spokeswoman Jennifer Wright in a statement.
The company remains committed to the future of the BrightDrop delivery van and the CAMI plant, and will support workers through the transition, she said.
The production halt comes after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 25 per cent tariffs on vehicles produced in Canada, but Wright said the CAMI adjustment is directly related to demand for the BrightDrop vehicle.
The CAMI plant is the only one that produces the EV delivery vehicle.
Unifor, representing more than 1,200 workers at the plant, said it's been told the plant will start temporary layoffs on April 14, come back for a limited production run in May, and then the plant will be idled until October.
Once production returns, it will operate on a single shift for the foreseeable future in what's expected to mean the indefinite layoff of 500 workers, said Unifor.
“This is a crushing blow to hundreds of working families in Ingersoll and the surrounding region who depend on this plant,” said Unifor national president Lana Payne in a statement.
“General Motors must do everything in its power to mitigate job loss during this downturn, and all levels of government must step up to support Canadian auto workers and Canadian-made products.”
Trump's 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican auto imports came into effect on April 3.
On that same day, Stellantis said it was temporarily halting production at its Windsor, Ont., assembly plant, as well as some Mexican plants and U.S. feeder plants.
The company said it imposed the two-week shutdown as it continues to assess the recently announced tariffs.
Automakers and experts have warned that the 25 per cent automotive tariffs will cause havoc in the highly-integrated North American supply chain and force plant closures and layoffs.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 11, 2025.
Ian Bickis, The Canadian Press
