‘We are going to need all of the Silverados you possibly can construct in Oshawa’: GM provides third line to Oshawa plant

The number of full-time employees at General Motors Oshawa plant will rise to more than 2,600 as a third shift is added to the newly-reopened plant.

After ending vehicle manufacturing in Oshawa at the end of 2019, the company announced a massive investment to retool the plant and reopened in late 2021 with the production of heavy duty Chevrolet Silverado trucks.

On Monday, GM North America president Steve Carlisle and Scott Bell, who recently completed his tenure as president of GM Canada, announced Oshawa would add a third shift and begin manufacturing light duty Silverado trucks as well, bringing the total workforce up to 2,600.

“Today I’m pleased to announce GM’s transformational investments of over $2 billion in Canada are well underway,” said Carlisle, who began his career with GM 40 years ago in the Oshawa plans.

Bell explained by adding light duty Silverados to Oshawa, it is the only GM plant to manufacture both heavy and light duty trucks simultaneously.

“When the third shift begins we will have created more than 2,600 new jobs since restarted our operations here in Oshawa and these are new jobs but they’re now jobs so this is a great, great day for us as folks are getting ready to go to work,” said Bell.

Bell was recently named global vice-president for Chevrolet, with Marissa West replacing him as head of GM Canada.

“I can tell you in my new role, this is great news,” he said. “We will want all the Chevrolet Silverados you can build in Oshawa.”

GM officials also announced the company’s Ingersoll plan will switch to manufacturing the BrightDrop commercial electrical vehicles.

Premier Doug Ford and Ontario economic development minister Vic Fedeli were on hand for the announcement along with Francois-Philippe Champagne, minister of innovation, science and industry for Canada.

They announced the Ontario and federal government are each investing $259 million through innovation funds to support GM.

“I can’t wipe the smile off my face, this is an amazing announcement,” said Ford.

The premier added that Ontario has seen “game-changing” investment in the auto sector over the past two years with more than $12 billion invested.

“Today’s announcement is more good news for Ontario’s auto sector … folks, this is just a huge win for the people of Durham and the people of Ontario.”

The news was roundly welcomed by local leaders, including Durham Region Chair John Henry and Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter, who both expressed their thanks to GM as well as the federal and provincial governments.

“It is only fitting that the announcement took place at the Technical Centre’s (CTC) McLaughlin Advanced Technology Track in Oshawa,” said Henry. “Durham Region’s automotive sector has been at the forefront of innovation for over a century, continuously revolutionizing with advanced new solutions.”

“These investments in the Oshawa Assembly Plant will solidify Oshawa as a leader in the new automotive industry for years to come,” said Carter. “The great city of Oshawa has a bright future ahead.”