Image: General Motors
General Motors is temporarily cutting electric vehicle production shifts at its Factory Zero plant in Detroit-Hamtramck as demand softens (via The Detroit Free Press).
The automaker told employees on August 27 that first- and second-shift production will be paused for one month beginning September 2, the day after Labor Day, and won’t resume until October 6. Production of the GMC Hummer EV and Cadillac Escalade IQ will be impacted.
“Factory Zero is making temporary adjustments to production to align to market dynamics,” GM spokesperson Kevin Kelly said in an emailed statement. “General Motors updates schedules as part of our standard process of aligning production to manage vehicle inventory.”
The change will affect around 360 employees, who will be placed on temporary layoff status. GM says these workers may be eligible for subpay and benefits under the GM-UAW national contract.
Factory Zero employs about 4,000 people and was already operating under a temporary second-shift layoff, which will now be extended until October 6. Back in April, GM also cut 200 jobs at the facility, citing slower-than-expected demand for its growing EV lineup, which includes the GMC Hummer EV pickup and SUV, Sierra EV, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and Cadillac Escalade IQ.
Despite these production adjustments, GM sold 46,000 EVs in the U.S. between April and June 2025, its best EV quarter to date, making it the second-largest EV seller behind only Tesla. The automaker also confirmed last month that the affordable Chevrolet Bolt EV will return in 2026, redesigned on a new platform and with Tesla’s NACS charging port.
GM lowered its 2024 EV production targets last year due to sluggish adoption in the U.S., a challenge that continues to weigh on its scaling plans.
Make a sub standard product…expect sub standard returns! Legacy auto are all in the same death spiral, their corporate cultures won't allow them to do what is needed to mount serious offerings. VW, GM, even Ford needed to go all in 10 years ago but they procrastinated, hoping it was just a fad…or that some miracle would come along and rescue them. Now they are faced with a double headed disruption monster….EVs on the one side AND AVs on the other. The entire transportation industry is going electric and autonomous while legacy is standing around looking stupid with their pants down around their ankles.