"GM CEO Mary Barra said the automaker would assess the CAMI assembly plant for for future opportunities. "This is not a decision we made lightly because of the impact on our employees," she said in the earnings call. "However the commercial electric van market has been developing much slower than expected, and changes to the regulatory framework and fleet incentives has made the business even more challenging.""
"Brightdrop first launched in 2021 as GM's effort to capture a large portion of the commercial EV market, starting with a pair of electric vans, as well as fleet management software and electric-powered carts for goods delivery. The automaker made deals with Walmart, FedEx, and other major retailers to add the van to their delivery fleets. But after trying to make a go of it as a standalone brand, GM reabsorbed BrightDrop in 2023, and then later assigned it to Chevy in order to tap into the brand's sales and service dealer network."
"Now the van will stand as yet another casualty of the expiration of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, which ended on September 30th. In addition to the consumer credit, there was also a $7,500 discount for commercial EVs under 18,000 lbs - which Brightdrop was eligible for. The van was a range leader, but also was more expensive than its most prominent competitor. Brightdrop's vans started at $74,000, while Ford's E-Transit van with extended battery range sold for $51,600."
General Motors will end production of its Chevy Brightdrop electric vans at the CAMI factory in Ingersoll, Ontario after slow commercial van demand left hundreds of vehicles piling up at dealers in the US and Canada. GM will assess the CAMI assembly plant for future opportunities. Brightdrop launched in 2021 with vans, fleet management software and electric carts, and secured fleet deals with Walmart and FedEx before being reabsorbed into GM and moved to Chevy. The expiration of a $7,500 federal EV tax credit and a separate commercial discount reduced demand, and Brightdrop’s higher price point made sales more difficult compared with competitors like Ford’s E-Transit.
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