Recent report says the GM’s electric pickup truck expansion at the Orion Assembly Plant is delayed by one year due to “evolving EV demand”.
GM’s Orion Michigan plant is currently producing the Chevy Bolt EV and Bolt EUV cars. Production of these model is scheduled to finish by year’s end. The plant is slated to be retooled for the new Chevy Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV (along with other vehicles on the Ultium platform). GM announced that this factory conversion is being delayed by one year from the end of 2024 to the end of 2025.
This news does not mean that General Motors is terminating current production of the 2024 Chevy Silverado EV pickup truck. These vehicles are currently being built at Factory Zero in Hamtramck, Michigan. GM is planning to further ramp up electric pickup truck production at Factory Zero. The report suggests that GM is planning to add a second shift at this Michigan factory and some of the employees from the Orion factory could be transferred to Factory Zero.
GM has recently increased production of the GMC Hummer EV pickup truck and SUV at this factory. Chevrolet sold 18 Silverado EV work trucks in Q3 of 2023 as production began.
This report originated at the Detroit News. GM also issued a detailed statement Wednesday, which you can read below in full:
“General Motors today confirmed it will retime the conversion of its Orion Assembly plant to EV truck production to late 2025, to better manage capital investment while aligning with evolving EV demand. In addition, we have identified engineering improvements that we will implement to increase the profitability of our products.
Consistent with the original plant conversion plan, represented employees at Orion will be offered other opportunities in Michigan, including positions at Factory ZERO Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly where production has been steadily increasing and significant scaling is planned for 2024, including a second production shift. Factory ZERO is currently building the GMC HUMMER EV Pickup and SUV, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and Cruise Origin. It will begin building the GMC Sierra EV next year.
In January 2022, GM announced it would invest $4 billion to convert Orion Assembly to produce electric trucks using the GM-developed Ultium Platform. Construction includes significant facility and capacity expansion at the site, including new body and paint shops and new general assembly and battery pack assembly areas.
Orion will finish production of the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV at the end of 2023, as previously announced.”
