GM Canada Retools CAMI Assembly Plant
GM Canada Retools CAMI Assembly Plant For EV Production
GM has completely retooled CAMI Assembly in Ontario in record time to become the new global manufacturing home of BrightDrop’s fully electric delivery vans.
General Motors Canada is retooling its CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, to produce BrightDrop Zevo electric delivery vehicles (EVs) and other products using the company's Ultium EV battery platform. The BrightDrop Zevo is a small, commercial EV designed for last-mile delivery and other urban transportation applications. It has a range of up to 250 miles (402 kilometers) on a single charge and can carry up to 500 pounds (227 kilograms) of cargo. The Ultium platform is a modular battery system that allows for the design and production of a wide range of electric vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs. The retooling of the CAMI Assembly plant is expected to create hundreds of new jobs in the region and help General Motors Canada meet the growing demand for EVs.
Front 3/4 view of the BrightDrop Zevo 600 at CAMI Assembly in Ontario. On Dec. 5, 2022, the first BrightDrop Zevo 600 rolled off the CAMI production line, marking a new chapter in EV production in Canada and a significant step in the fight against climate change.
General Motors' CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll will produce BrightDrop Zevo electric delivery vehicles (EVs) and other products using GM's Ultium EV battery platform. The BrightDrop Zevo is a small, commercial EV designed for last-mile delivery and other urban transportation applications. It has a range of up to 250 miles (402 kilometers) on a single charge and can carry up to 500 pounds (227 kilograms) of cargo. The Ultium platform is a modular battery system that allows for the design and production of a wide range of electric vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford were in Ingersoll, Ontario for the opening of Canada's first full-scale electric-vehicle manufacturing plant. With investment support from both governments, GM has completely retooled the CAMI Assembly plant in record time to become the new global manufacturing home of BrightDrop’s fully electric delivery vans. BrightDrop also announced the commencement of commercial operations in Canada, with DHL slated to be the company’s first Canadian customer. This is huge news for Canada's automotive manufacturing sector.
During the formal opening at the Ingersoll plant on December 5th, 2022, Justin Trudeau said, “When we invested in GM’s project to build Canada’s first full-scale electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Ingersoll, we knew it would deliver results. Today, as the first BrightDrop van rolls off the line, that’s exactly what we’re seeing. This plant has secured good jobs for workers, it’s positioning Canada as a leader on EVs, and it will help cut pollution. Good jobs, clean air, and a strong economy – together, that’s the future we can build.”
And Doug Ford, the Premier of Ontario said, “Today’s announcement shows once again that there is no better jurisdiction than Ontario when it comes to building the cars of the future. We have everything we need to be a North American auto manufacturing powerhouse, with a skilled workforce that is second to none. We are so pleased to see GM lay down even deeper roots here in Ontario and we look forward to seeing them grow and thrive right here in Ingersoll.”
The repurposing of the CAMI Assembly plant is a significant milestone for General Motors Canada as it continues to pivot towards the production of electric vehicles. The company has set a goal of having 30 percent of its global sales be electric by 2025, and the newly renovated CAMI Assembly plant is an important step towards achieving that goal. The plant has a long history of producing gasoline-powered vehicles, but the transition to electric vehicles represents a significant shift in the company's manufacturing capabilities.
Employees work on the BrightDrop Zevo 600 production line at CAMI Assembly in Ontario, Canada’s first full-scale EV plant.
The work to retool the plant at Ingersoll involved the installation of new equipment and technology to support the production of EVs. This includes the installation of new battery assembly and testing equipment, as well as the incorporation of new automation and robotics technology to streamline the production process. The changes also involved the construction of new infrastructure, such as charging stations and other support facilities, to support the operation of EVs.
An employee works on the BrightDrop Zevo 600 production line at CAMI Assembly in Ontario, Canada’s first full-scale EV plant. Photo credit: James Cooper
These new changes at the CAMI Assembly plant are creating hundreds of new jobs in the region and will help General Motors Canada meet the growing demand for EVs. The company has already hired a number of new workers to support the production of the BrightDrop Zevo and is expected to continue hiring as the retooling process continues. The company is also working with local suppliers and partners to source materials and components for the production of new EVs.
The Ultium platform is the foundation of GM’s EV strategy, including the battery cells, modules and pack, plus drive units containing electric motors and integrated power electronics. It underpins GM’s EV architecture and was developed with a common set of components, providing energy for nearly every segment on the road. Certain vehicles built from the platform will offer battery energy storage options from 50 to more than 200 kWh and driving range of up to 450 miles on a full charge[1].
In addition to the production of the BrightDrop Zevo, the CAMI Assembly plant is expected to produce other products using the Ultium platform. These products could include passenger vehicles, such as cars, trucks, and SUVs, as well as commercial vehicles and other specialty vehicles. The flexibility of the Ultium platform allows for the production of a wide range of electric vehicles to meet the diverse needs of customers.
Driven by next-generation EV propulsion technology, the modular Ultium battery platform will bring GM another step closer to an all-electric future.
The CAMI Assembly plant is just one part of General Motors Canada's broader commitment to the production of electric vehicles. The company has already announced plans to invest billions of dollars in the development and production of EVs, and it is working with a variety of partners and suppliers to bring these vehicles to market. The company is also working on the development of new technologies and innovations to improve the performance and efficiency of its EVs, such as the development of new battery technologies and the integration of advanced driver assist systems.
Employees work on the BrightDrop Zevo 600 production line at CAMI Assembly in Ontario, Canada’s first full-scale EV plant.
The production of BrightDrop Zevo EVs and other GM manufactured EVs using the Ultium platform is a major milestone for General Motors Canada as it continues to transition towards the production of electric vehicles. The retooling process is expected to create new jobs and economic opportunities in the region, and it will help the company meet the growing demand for EVs as more and more consumers seek out environmentally friendly transportation options.
Side view of an all-electric BrightDrop Zevo 600 delivery van. DHL Express Canada is BrightDrop’s newest EV customer.
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