General Motors announced that it will begin production at Canada’s first full-scale commercial electric vehicle production facility at the CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll, Ont.
The OEM, along with the federal and provincial government in Ontario, made the announcement at the recently opened Canadian Technical Centre’s (CTC) McLaughlin Advanced Technology Track in Oshawa. GM is investing more than $2 billion at its Oshawa and CAMI assembly plants.
“Working with our government partners we have reopened GM’s Oshawa plant, creating thousands of new jobs and recruiting a record number of women in production roles,” said Marissa West, GM Canada President and Managing Director. “Later this year, our CAMI plant in Ingersoll will begin Canada’s first full-scale electric vehicle manufacturing with BrightDrop.”
Production of BrightDrop’s electric delivery vans is set to start in December, after the plant is retooled during the spring and summer. GM said the Oshawa Assembly plant will add light-duty pickup production and a third shift of production this year. It also notes that 50 per cent of its new production hires at the plant are women.
“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—and we are proud to be doing that right here in Canada,” said West.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the investment from GM was proof that, by attracting “game-changing investments,” the government is securing the auto sector for the next generation of workers.
“This investment will secure 2,600 jobs here in Oshawa and is a huge win for the people of Durham and Ontario’s auto sector. It shows once again that the cars of the future will be made right here in Ontario by Ontario workers,” said Ford.
