Oshawa is Back Online: First Pickups Roll Off the Line in Nearly Two Years
Nearly two years after the Oshawa Assembly plant built its final vehicle, and one year after GM announced that it would resume pickup production there, the big day has finally arrived. The first Chevrolet Silverado models have just rolled off the line.
The plant will operate on two shifts and will also build GMC Sierra pickups, both for the Canadian and U.S. markets.
- Also: GM Accelerates Start of Pickup Production in Oshawa
- Also: GM’s Advanced Technology Track in Oshawa is Now Open
Oshawa stopped making vehicles in December 2019 and at some point was in the process of being converted into a stamping operation for GM’s other factories. More recently, it helped produce masks for the Public Health Agency of Canada.
But as it turned out, following a new agreement with the Unifor auto workers, GM decided to invest up to $1.3 billion and create approximately 1,800 jobs in Oshawa to resume pickup production. A new body shop and flexible assembly module are part of the plant, too.
Today’s announcement is excellent news as demand for full-size pickups is unprecedented and dealer inventories have never been so low. Oshawa will begin shipping trucks to dealers in December 2021.
“The reopening of Oshawa Assembly is an historic accomplishment for GM Canada and our many community partners who worked together to bring us to this very happy day,” said Scott Bell, GM Canada president and managing director. “The rapid retooling, hiring, and training needed to reach today’s start of production was an extraordinary accomplishment.”
The first truck off the line will help GM raise money for Sharon’s Kids, one of the automaker’s favourite charities in the Durham Region. Another will be raffled to GM dealers to benefit the Durham Children's Aid Foundation (DCAF).
