{"id":901366,"date":"2026-04-25T00:23:59","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T05:23:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/25\/sw-ontario-auto-sector-braces-for-possible-pain-as-gm-idles-detroit-ev-plant\/"},"modified":"2026-04-25T00:23:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T05:23:59","slug":"sw-ontario-auto-sector-braces-for-possible-pain-as-gm-idles-detroit-ev-plant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/25\/sw-ontario-auto-sector-braces-for-possible-pain-as-gm-idles-detroit-ev-plant\/","title":{"rendered":"SW Ontario auto sector braces for possible pain as GM idles Detroit EV plant"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div>\n<figure data-aqa=\"featured-image\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gettyimages-gm-factory-zero_302383913-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;h=423&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=owPnzWR96k305mc2Kbnu_Q, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gettyimages-gm-factory-zero_302383913-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;h=846&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=BMLH_hhgoZYAxeyhv04MUA 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gettyimages-gm-factory-zero_302383913-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;h=423&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=XLM4R5CcMHhVzEBYNyvN0Q, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gettyimages-gm-factory-zero_302383913-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;h=846&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=7caU45GaNVVO2ibzip1G7A 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gettyimages-gm-factory-zero_302383913-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;h=354&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=hN55ji-IAeHPjJkvsb2WFw, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gettyimages-gm-factory-zero_302383913-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;h=708&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=IIziF05PHEaXUTJRGy1LBA 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gettyimages-gm-factory-zero_302383913-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;h=354&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=tmQffNOVTLFPkXdJuGKK6w, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gettyimages-gm-factory-zero_302383913-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;h=708&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=GpppD1yIg662qW8IFSjjmg 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gettyimages-gm-factory-zero_302383913-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=zSzqFWukcuNCr9_q4g9kgw, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gettyimages-gm-factory-zero_302383913-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;h=432&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=Dg7ESSNz35xZSt2c1rMmuA 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gettyimages-gm-factory-zero_302383913-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;sig=di0PP17_3TGyxsn3ZD8gIw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gettyimages-gm-factory-zero_302383913-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;sig=di0PP17_3TGyxsn3ZD8gIw,\n                    https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gettyimages-gm-factory-zero_302383913-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;h=432&#038;sig=_0um_TAnXMb9PsX7TTW_Ig 2x\" alt=\"auto\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" height=\"900\" width=\"1200\"><\/picture><figcaption><span>GM&#8217;s all-electric Factory Zero plant in Detroit, which manufactures the Chevrolet Silverado EV and the GMC Sierra EV, among others, will be hit the hardest, with 1,300 workers to be laid off, as General Motors this week announced the layoffs of 3,300 hourly employees at U.S. plants that make electric vehicles and batteries due to slowing EV consumer interest.<\/span> <span>Photo by Bill Pugliano<\/span> \/<span>Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span>The Southwest Ontario automotive sector supply chain could see a ripple effect \u2014 with possibly less product sold \u2014 as GM idles its Detroit EV plant<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section data-aqa=\"identity-sign-in\" data-async id=\"article-block\">\n<header>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Windsor Star\" height=\"37\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/21.0.2\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-ws-new.svg\" width=\"280\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n<p>Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Get exclusive access to the Windsor Star ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n<p>Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Get exclusive access to the Windsor Star ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n<p>Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Access articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy additional articles per month.<\/li>\n<li>Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n<p>Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Access articles from across Canada with one account<\/li>\n<li>Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy additional articles per month<\/li>\n<li>Get email updates from your favourite authors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div data-auth-component id=\"auth-screen-form\" aria-live=\"assertive\">\n<h2>Sign In or Create an Account<\/h2>\n<p><span><\/span><span>or<\/span><span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span>General Motors announced it\u2019s temporarily idling its all-electric Factory Zero plant, placing about 1,300 workers on layoff.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span>Many Michigan-area media outlets reported Wednesday that the plant\u2019s employees were informed March 13 they would be off the job until April 13 as the automaker adjusts EV production to better match demand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cFactory ZERO will temporarily adjust production to align EV production with market demand,\u201d GM spokesperson Matthew Creegan told the Star in an emailed statement. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cImpacted employees will be placed on a temporary layoff and may be eligible for subpay and benefits in accordance with the GM-UAW national contract.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span>The impact of the idled Detroit plant will be felt throughout the highly integrated cross-border automotive supply chain, said Sam Fiorani, AutoForecast Solutions vice-president of global vehicle forecasting.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cThe supplier group in Canada is integral to GM production, and shutting down any plant in the Detroit area is going to hamper suppliers in Michigan and in Ontario,\u201d Fiorani told the Star Wednesday.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span>He expects further such industry retrenchment as automakers pare back their investments into electrification.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cWe\u2019ve seen a lot of announcements, and more are absolutely going to come,\u201d said Fiorani. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cThere have always been too many electric vehicles on the market for the number of buyers looking for them, and manufacturers are still trying to figure out where that level is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span>Other automakers have already adjusted their electrification plans as demand has not met expectations. Ford Motor Co. said it would move away from producing the all-electric F-150 Lightning in favour of an extended-range version, while Honda has cancelled multiple planned EV models in the U.S. and recently announced a significant price reduction for its Prologue.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span>Fiorani said he expects Honda could ultimately scale back or reconsider that vehicle as well within the next year.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cWith the removal of incentives, there isn\u2019t a desire for manufacturers to build electric vehicles and sell them at a price reasonable for the public,\u201d he said. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cWe\u2019ve already seen write-downs, and slowing down plants dedicated to EVs is just the next step.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span>Fiorani said the industry is responding to softening U.S. emissions policies and decreasing EV incentives by shifting back to more profitable, in-demand gasoline-powered vehicles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span>This trend has also played out locally in Windsor. After initially embracing the industry\u2019s push toward electric, Dodge scrapped plans for the entry-level 2025 Charger Daytona R\/T EV slated for production at Windsor Assembly Plant due to low demand and U.S. tariffs.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p> Madeline Mazak<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/windsorstar.com\/news\/local-news\/sw-ontario-auto-sector-braces-for-possible-pain-as-gm-idles-detroit-ev-plant\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GM&#8217;s all-electric Factory Zero plant in Detroit, which manufactures the Chevrolet Silverado EV and the GMC Sierra EV, among others, will be hit the hardest, with 1,300 workers to be laid off, as General Motors this week announced the layoffs of 3,300 hourly employees at U.S. plants that make electric vehicles and batteries due to<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":901367,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24575,23260],"tags":[9795,5456],"class_list":{"0":"post-901366","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ontario","8":"category-sector","9":"tag-ontario","10":"tag-sector"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/901366","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=901366"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/901366\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/901367"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=901366"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=901366"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=901366"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}