Cami auto plant shutting down for months, cutting 450 jobs

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Cami Assembly was hit by the slow pace of U.S. tariffs and slow sales, laying off 450 jobs and closing for several months.

Ingersoll electric vehicle commercial van manufacturers will be closed for three weeks starting Monday. Mike van Boekel, co-chair of Unifor Local 88, said workers will return for two weeks before returning to October.

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As workers return in the fall, as GM lay off jobs, employees will decrease.

“It’s about slow sales and tariffs really hurt us,” Van Boekel said.

“This is horrible news. It’s devastating.”

He added that unions and companies will try to mitigate job losses through retirement and buyout packages in a bid to reduce the total number of layoffs.

“We believe tariffs are the main factor.”

A recent report by U.S. adviser said the 25% tariff imposed on Canadian-made vehicles sold in the U.S. would increase the price of Ingersoll-made Brightdrop Cargo vans by $15,000. Now, it’s sold for over $70,000 in the U.S.

In 2024, GM sold over 1,500 Brightdrop Vans in the U.S.

In a statement Friday, GM Canadian officials downplayed the role of tariffs in closures and layoffs.

“Today, GM Canada confirmed that Cami is maintaining operational and employment adjustments to stocks and current demands to balance inventory and align production plans with current demands,” the statement said. “GM remains committed to the future of the BrightDrop and Cami plants and will support employees through transitions.

“This adjustment is directly related to responding to market demand and rebalancing inventory. The production of BrightDrop and (EV) battery components will remain at CAMI.”

The plant is located on the highway. 401 east of London, now has 1,300 people, and also has an electric vehicle battery pack factory.

ndebono@postmedia.com

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