- GM has temporarily stopped the production of BrightDrop models 400 and 600 at CAMI Assembly in Canada.
- The sluggish-selling vans have been accumulating, hence employees will start losing their jobs from next week onward.
- After intermittent production issues, the facility will reduce to one shift starting in October.
GM had great expectations for their BrightDrop brand, but that initial excitement diminished, leading them to incorporate the vans into the Chevrolet range instead. Despite this change aimed at increasing sales and accessibility, it has not been particularly effective, with hundreds still awaiting delivery. unwanted vans have been accumulating .
More: Chevrolet Now Includes BrightDrop As A Division
Considering the increasing stockpiles, it’s not surprising that the company is momentarily stopping production at CAMI Assembly In Ingersoll, Ontario, the Canadian facility initiated BrightDrop production towards the end of 2022 and has over 1,200 employees.
Short-Term Furloughs and Manufacturing Schedule Changes
Unifor reports that GM plans to start temporary layoff periods beginning April 14, after which employees will return but only work part-time in May. Following this phase, operations will halt once more to facilitate equipment upgrades necessary for assembling the 2026 model.
Once production restarts in October, the facility will switch to a single shift schedule for an extended period. According to the union, this decision will lead to the " indefinite dismissal of around 500 employees."
Lana Payne, the Unifor National President, characterized these actions as a "devastating setback" and urged the automobile manufacturer to "exert every effort to minimize job losses amid this economic decline." Additionally, she appealed for governmental intervention to aid both Canadian autoworkers and domestically produced goods.
Payne was notably insistent regarding this point, promoting the 400 and 600 vans as "a smart option for businesses, governmental organizations, and the overall economy in Canada." This statement subtly suggests her desire for the government to invest in these electric delivery vehicles.
Although BrightDrop has faced numerous challenges before, Payne seized the moment to criticize the Trump administration. She asserted that the U.S. was causing "disruption within the industry" and stated, "The shortsighted tariffs imposed by Trump and his dismissal of electric vehicle technology are interfering with investments and halting future orders." Furthermore, she argued that these issues were providing an avenue for China and other international car manufacturers to take over the global electric vehicle marketplace.
Pricing Dilemma
Regarding the vans, BrightDrop's lineup begins at $77,900, offering up to 614.7 cubic feet (17,406 liters) of storage space along with a total range of up to 272 miles (438 kilometers).
Nevertheless, competing electric vans are significantly less expensive since the Ford E-Transit Cargo has a starting price of $51,000 while the Mercedes eSprinter can be acquired for $61,180. While this isn’t exactly an apple-to-orange comparison, it’s clear why numerous BrightDrop vans remain parked at dealerships.
Even with these issues, Unifor pointed out that the company remains dedicated to the CAMI Assembly. It was also mentioned that starting from 2026, the vans will receive "improvements." The specifics of these enhancements have yet to be disclosed; however, ideally, they might include a more compact battery to help lower costs.
