General Motors (GM) will push back production of new electric vehicle (EV) motors at its St. Catharines, Ontario plant by 16 months, with operations now slated to begin in 2027. The automaker originally planned to begin EV motor production at the facility in 2025. The delay affects roughly 1,000 workers who had anticipated transitioning to EV motor production as part of GM’s broader electrification strategy.
Per a report from Automotive News, the St. Catharines plant currently employs roughly 600 workers. The facility produces internal combustion engines and transmissions, and was positioned to be a key player in GM’s electrification plans. However, slower-than-anticipated growth in the EV segment has prompted General Motors to change strategies, although the automaker still plans to fully transition its light duty vehicle fleet to electric propulsion by 2035.
According to GM Canada spokesperson Natalie Nankil, as reported by Automotive News, the St. Catharines facility is now poised to begin electric drive unit production in “early” 2027 so as to “support the company’s global strategy to increase manufacturing capacity in line with ongoing growth in EV demand.”
Of course, GM isn’t alone in shifting its electrification strategy. Ford, for instance, has twice changed tack with regard to EV production at its Oakville plant, pushing back plans to produce three-row EVs at the facility before abandoning the plans altogether to build ICE-powered Super Duty pickups instead.
Meanwhile, for the workers at St. Catharines, the delay brings uncertainty. In response, Canadian labor union Unifor opened a local union action center earlier this month to assist members who were laid-off. The center offers help in finding additional work, including refining resumes, upskilling, and mental health support. Looking ahead, plant workers are expected to be eligible for supplemental unemployment based on seniority, with up to two years of benefits available under the latest collective agreement struck between Unifor and GM Canada. Nevertheless, according to Unifor Local 199 President Jordan Lennox, all affected staff will likely need to find additional work over the course of the extended layoff period.
Comments
And I am sure there will be further delays. Perhaps they can be producing these motors sometimes in the 2040s.
See how poor management plays with workers’ lives?
Could be pumping out more 3.0L diesels, if they wanted to stay competitive.
The whole industry will see a shift to hybrids and plug-in hybrids for the next 3 to 5 years. Hopefully there will be battery develop that won’t degrade in cold weather and range anxiety will be reduced. Another thing will be more public charging systems that don’t charge an arm and a leg rates. Today being able to charge at home is essential .
Wow, it happened just as some of us predicted when this EV transition timeline was announced. GM put too many eggs in the EV basket too soon. They cancelled all car production and several ICE engines. Now here we are with GM stuck in no man’s land between ICE and EV’s. Too committed to back up and billions invested in unwanted products. Very poor management decisions.
Ev’s just blow that’s right blow up
No dealer should be forced to sell these things. If a customer want’s one they should special order it.