GM Idles Detroit EV Assembly Plant Amid Demand Shift, Policy Uncertainty
DETROIT— General Motors is temporarily idling its Factory ZERO electric vehicle assembly plant in Detroit through April 13 as the automaker adjusts production to align with market demand.
The shutdown, which began March 16, affects approximately 1,300 workers at the facility, where GM produces the Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Hummer EV. A company spokesperson said the move is intended to better match EV output with current demand conditions.
Factory ZERO has experienced uneven production over the past year as GM navigates softer demand for battery-powered vehicles. The automaker reduced output at the plant by about 50 percent in January, signaling ongoing challenges in scaling EV manufacturing volumes.
The production adjustment comes as GM continues to absorb financial pressure tied to its electrification strategy. The company has reported $7.6 billion in writedowns related to its EV programs, reflecting slower-than-expected adoption and higher-than-anticipated costs.
At the same time, broader shifts in federal policy are influencing automakers’ manufacturing strategies. Changes under President Donald Trump have altered the regulatory landscape for electric vehicles, prompting several OEMs to scale back or delay EV production plans.
In response, manufacturers are increasingly prioritizing internal combustion vehicle production, particularly high-margin trucks and SUVs. GM said it plans to increase output of heavy-duty trucks at a Michigan assembly plant starting in June, underscoring the continued importance of conventional vehicle platforms to near-term production volumes.
The latest move highlights the balancing act facing automakers as they recalibrate assembly operations between EV investment and current market demand, while navigating evolving policy conditions that continue to shape long-term production planning.
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