GM Canada said it would start production at the country’s first full scale, electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Ingersoll, Ontario later this year.
The Ingersoll plant, known as GM CAMI Assembly, was originally established in 1986 as CAMI Automotive, a joint venture with Suzuki. Construction began in 1987. During its early years, the plant produced models for both Chevrolet and Suzuki, such as the Vitara also badged as the Chevy Sidekick. In 2011, the factory became fully owned by GM and the JV ended. In 2010, CAMI Assembly started supplying welded bodies to the Oshawa assembly plant for painting and final assembly.
Oshawa Assembly, which was closed several years ago after making such models as the Chevrolet Impala, and subsequently revived with assistance from the Ontario provincial government, will now add light duty pickup production and a third shift, adding 2,600 new jobs since operations resumed.
GM Canada made these announcements at the recently opened Canadian Technical Centre (CTC) McLaughlin Advanced Technology Track, also in Oshawa, highlighting the company’s $2 billion investment to update its manufacturing operations.
Production of BrightDrop electric delivery vans will begin at CAMI Assembly in December 2022, following retooling of the plant this spring and summer.
Adding the light-duty pickup production and a third shift in coming months will make Oshawa the only GM plant producing both heavy-and light-duty pickups, enabling flexibility and responsiveness to the North American market.
Half of new production hires at Oshawa are women, as GM focuses on “diversity in the workplace”.
“Marissa West, GM Canada president and managing director, said: “This partnership with the governments of Ontario and Canada is helping GM build a more diverse, innovative and sustainable industry and EV supply chain for the future.”