DETROIT, Michigan: General Motors is hitting pause on production of its BrightDrop electric vans in Ontario, Canda, citing the need to recalibrate output in response to market realities.

The company will temporarily shut down operations at its CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, where the commercial EVs are made. The move will affect 1,200 workers, according to Unifor, the union representing them.

"This adjustment is directly related to responding to market demand and re-balancing inventory," GM said in a statement, confirming that the decision is unrelated to newly imposed auto tariffs. "Production of BrightDrop and EV battery assembly will remain at CAMI."

The layoffs will begin April 14, with limited production expected to resume in May. However, full production won't restart until October 2025, as the company plans to retool the facility for the 2026 model year.

Once production resumes, the plant will operate on a single shift, leaving around 500 workers facing indefinite layoff, Unifor said.

"General Motors must do everything in its power to mitigate job loss during this downturn," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "This is a crushing blow to hundreds of working families in Ingersoll and the surrounding region who depend on this plant."

GM reported sales of 274 BrightDrop vans in the first quarter of this year, a slight increase from the 256 units sold during the same period in 2024.

Despite the downturn, GM stated it "remains committed to the future of BrightDrop and the CAMI plant and will support employees through the transition."

The news drew swift reactions from political leaders in Canada.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney called the layoffs "deeply painful news for autoworkers in Ingersoll and for workers throughout Canada's auto industry," adding, "My government is fighting to defend our auto sector, protect our workers and build our supply chains in Canada."

Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party, echoed that sentiment. "We will keep them working, so they can keep their jobs as we fight through this mess," he said, promising to "push hard to put an end to these tariffs and get a quick but fair deal that protects our sovereignty and our economy."