EVWire brief: General Motors has officially ended production of its BrightDrop electric delivery van at the CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, after months of suspended operations. The decision, which GM attributes to slower-than-expected commercial EV demand and shifting regulatory conditions, marks a major turning point for Canada’s only dedicated EV delivery van factory.
The CAMI Assembly Plant once a cornerstone of GM’s EV transition has operated below capacity since early 2025, with production officially paused in May. GM cited market headwinds in the commercial EV sector, including a slowing adoption rate, eliminated U.S. tax credits, and a complex regulatory landscape, as reasons behind the shutdown.
The Q3 sales numbers from Cox Auto show that BrightDrop saw 2,384 sales in Q3 and 3,976 year-to-date, which is 300.8% more than the same time last year.
Meanwhile, the competition, Ford sold 430 E-Transits in Q3 and 4,604 year-to-date, -50.3% YoY, and Rivian sold 2,639 EDV500/700 in Q3 and 6,809 year-to-date, -24.6% YoY.
GM stated it will work closely with Unifor and government partners to determine future opportunities for the CAMI facility. Hourly employees are expected to receive six months of salary, along with lump-sum payments and extended benefits under their collective agreement.
“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.”
While the BrightDrop chapter closes, GM emphasized its continued commitment to Canadian operations by providing the following information about GM in Canada:
7,000+ Canadians employed across manufacturing, tech, and distribution networks
$2.6 billion CAD invested in domestic manufacturing over the last five years
450 dealerships nationwide, representing Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac
34,000 retirees supported through pensions and benefits
20,000 dealership employees contributing to local economies
In addition to its assembly operations, GM Canada operates a multi-campus technology and software centre housing over 1,000 engineers and developers, contributing to the company’s global EV and autonomous vehicle programs.
The company is also advancing its EV supply chain investment through a C$600 million joint venture with POSCO Future M in Bécancour, Quebec, which will produce cathode active materials for GM’s Ultium battery cells.
The closure of BrightDrop production reflects a broader recalibration of North American EV manufacturing capacity as automakers reassess demand and profitability in a “cooling market”.
While the future of CAMI remains uncertain, GM Canada has stated its intention to identify new opportunities for the site, reaffirming that the company remains “deeply committed to Canadian innovation and manufacturing.”
Sources: General Motors Canada
