GM Models Made In Canada-The Ones You Didn't Expect

Last Updated: May 09, 2026 • Written by Marcus Holloway

Table of Contents

01. Current Production Overview
02. GM Canada Plants in Detail
03. Historical Evolution of GM Production in Canada
04. Future Outlook for GM Canada Manufacturing
05. Economic Impact on Canadian Auto Sector

General Motors currently produces the Chevrolet Silverado light-duty (1500) and heavy-duty (HD) models at its Oshawa Assembly plant in Ontario, while the CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll manufactures electric delivery vehicles like the Chevrolet BrightDrop 400 and 600 (production ended in 2025).

Current Production Overview

The Oshawa Assembly plant stands as GM Canada's flagship facility for truck production, uniquely capable of building both light-duty and heavy-duty Silverado pickups on a single line since reopening in 2021 after a two-year idle period. This plant achieved one of GM's fastest production launches, ramping up to full capacity within months and earning J.D. Power Best-in-Class Dependability awards for the Silverado models in subsequent years. In 2023, GM committed C$280 million to prepare Oshawa for next-generation internal combustion engine (ICE) full-size trucks, part of over C$1.6 billion invested since 2020.

Vinland Saga Panels

At CAMI Assembly, focus shifted from consumer SUVs like the Chevrolet Equinox (produced until 2022) to commercial electric vans, including the BrightDrop Zevo series, before discontinuation in 2025 due to market demand. The St. Catharines Propulsion Plant supports these vehicles indirectly by producing V-8 engines, with a C$691 million investment announced in April 2026 for sixth-generation engines powering GM's full-size trucks and SUVs.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Light-duty pickup, production restarted in 2022 after HD models; key for fleet and consumer markets.
Chevrolet Silverado HD (2500/3500): Heavy-duty variants launched first in 2021, with High Country trims among initial units.
Historical CAMI output: Chevrolet Equinox (ended 2022), GMC Terrain (until 2017), BrightDrop Zevo 400/600 (ended 2025).

GM Canada Plants in Detail

GM operates three primary manufacturing sites in Ontario, contributing to Canada's role as a top-12 global light vehicle producer with over 1.4 million units annually from five OEMs including GM. Oshawa, opened in 1953, has built iconic models like the Chevrolet Camaro and Impala historically, but pivoted to trucks post-2020.

Oshawa Assembly (Oshawa, ON): Primary truck plant; 2021 reopening produced first Silverado HD on March 7, 2022; C$343 million recent investment for next-gen pickups.
CAMI Assembly (Ingersoll, ON): EV van specialist; joint venture origins with Suzuki in 1986; upgraded for BrightDrop in 2022.
St. Catharines Propulsion (St. Catharines, ON): Engine production hub; C$828 million invested since 2020, now prepping next-gen V8s alongside U.S. sites in Tonawanda and Flint.

GM Canada Production Capacity and Investments (2026 Data)
Plant	Key Models/Products	Annual Capacity (Est.)	Recent Investment (C$)	Workforce (Approx.)
Oshawa Assembly	Silverado 1500/HD	150,000+ units	1.6B+ (since 2020)	3,000
CAMI Assembly	BrightDrop 400/600 (discontinued)	50,000 units	Evaluating future	1,200
St. Catharines Propulsion	V8 Engines (next-gen)	Engines for 500K+ vehicles	828M (since 2020)	1,500

"Oshawa Assembly is now the only GM plant producing both heavy-duty and light-duty pickups. This will help GM meet the strong demand for our leading family of pickup trucks." -- GM Spokesman Monte Doran, 2022

This quote underscores Oshawa's strategic pivot, boosting Canada's auto sector output by 15% post-reopening.

Historical Evolution of GM Production in Canada

Founded in 1918 via merger of Chevrolet Motor Company of Canada and others, General Motors of Canada headquartered in Oshawa has employed over 23,000 at peak across sites. Early plants assembled Buicks, Chevrolets, Cadillacs, and GMCs; by mid-20th century, Oshawa produced 100,000+ vehicles yearly.

The 1986 CAMI joint venture introduced compact SUVs, with Equinox succeeding models like the Tracker. Production peaked at 300,000 units across sites in the 2010s before EV shifts and market changes. Post-2020, C$15 billion total investments across Ontario plants signal long-term commitment amid U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade dynamics.

Future Outlook for GM Canada Manufacturing

With C$63 million in 2026 for Oshawa stamping upgrades, GM preps for refreshed Silverado/Sierra with new 5.7L/6.7L V8s, 2.7L turbo I4, and 3.0L diesel, promising 10% better efficiency. St. Catharines joins Tonawanda and Flint for next-gen V8s, targeting 20% demand growth in full-size trucks/SUVs.

CAMI eyes future EVs post-BrightDrop, potentially for next-gen Equinox or commercial vans, leveraging Ontario's battery ecosystem. Overall, GM Canada's 5% share of global output secures 6,000+ jobs.

2026 Investments: C$691M St. Catharines, C$63M Oshawa stamping.
Next-gen trucks: Launch late 2026, ICE-focused despite EV push.
Export impact: 70% of Silverado parts US/Canada-sourced, qualifying "Made in USA."

Silverado Production Sites Comparison
Plant Location	Models	Unique Feature	Start Date (Current Line)
Oshawa, Canada	1500 & HD	Only dual-line facility	2021 (HD), 2022 (LD)
Fort Wayne, IN	1500	High-volume LD	Ongoing
Flint, MI	HD	HD specialist	Ongoing
Silao, Mexico	1500	Export-focused	Ongoing

Economic Impact on Canadian Auto Sector

GM Canada sustains 10,000 direct jobs, injecting C$5B+ annually into Ontario's economy via wages, suppliers, and exports. As part of USMCA, 62-71% Silverado/Colorado parts originate in US/Canada, bolstering regional supply chains.

In 2025, Oshawa hit 98% uptime, producing 160,000 Silverados amid 12% sales growth. Quotes from GM execs highlight workforce agility: "The Oshawa team demonstrated unmatched flexibility," per plant manager post-2021 launch.

GM's Canadian footprint evolved from sedans to trucks, positioning Ontario as a pickup powerhouse with sustained investments exceeding C$2.5B since 2020 across sites.

Key concerns and solutions for Gm Models Made In Canada The Ones You Didnt Expect

Which Silverado Variants Are Built in Canada?

The Oshawa plant produces the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (light-duty) and Silverado HD (2500/3500 heavy-duty) models, making it GM's only facility worldwide combining both on one line to meet surging North American demand.

Why Did GM Shift to Trucks in Oshawa?

After idling in 2019 amid sedan phase-out, GM restarted truck production in 2021 to capitalize on pickups comprising 25% of North American sales, with Silverado leading at 550,000 units in 2025.

Are GMC Sierra Models Made in Canada?

No current GMC Sierra production occurs in Canada; light-duty Sierras build at Fort Wayne (Indiana) and Silao (Mexico), HD at Flint (Michigan). Oshawa focuses exclusively on Chevrolet Silverado equivalents.