GM Canada announced the first Chevrolet Silverado pickup has rolled off the line at the reopened Oshawa Assembly plant. The return of truck production to Oshawa provides a significant economic boost for Canada’s automotive sector, creating 1,800 new jobs to support two shifts of production in Oshawa, and supporting thousands of additional jobs in the supplier base in Canada.
“The return of vehicle assembly to the Oshawa plant is unprecedented in our history. It is an achievement owed to the resiliency and dedication of Unifor members,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor national president. “Seeing the first of many trucks roll off the newly re-opened Oshawa assembly line was a proud moment for everyone who fought shoulder to shoulder for these jobs. The auto industry has and will continue to be the bedrock of Oshawa and Durham region’s economy.”
Pickups are GM’s largest and most important market segment across the continent, and the Oshawa plant will help GM meet strong demand for its leading family of pickup trucks. Oshawa Assembly has been retooled in record time to be one of the most flexible and advanced of its kind in the industry. 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. We continue our work with the federal and Ontario governments toward even larger transformative investments in Canada and we are especially pleased that the first truck off the line will help GM and our Canadian dealers raise money for Sharon’s Kids, one of our favourite charities in Durham Region.”
“Today marks an incredible milestone as the first trucks roll off the assembly line here at GM’s reopened assembly plant in Oshawa,” said Ontario Premier Doug Ford. “With this plant re-opening, over 1,800 new skilled workers will find steady and important work helping to produce world class, Ontario made GM trucks. As we move forward with our plan to build Ontario, we will continue to create the conditions needed for more investment while restoring good manufacturing jobs just like these.”
To continue the plant’s legacy of giving back to the community, GM Canada will raffle one of its first vehicles to our dealers to benefit the Durham Children’s Aid Foundation (DCAF). This continues the legacy of Sharon Clark, a former employee of Oshawa who lost her battle with cancer in 2020. For more than 50 years, Oshawa Assembly employees have donated holiday gifts for children in need, through “Sharon’s Kids.” Since 2018, GM Canada and our employees have donated more than $500,000 to Sharon’s Kids, which is now part of DCAF.
“On behalf of Durham Region, I am thrilled to see the Oshawa Assembly reopened in record time, as one of the most flexible and advanced of its kind in the automotive sector. This is not only great news for GM Canada and involved partners, but for all of Durham Region, as the creation of thousands of jobs and boosted economic growth comes at such a crucial time,” said John Henry, Regional Chair, Durham Region. “The automotive industry has been at the heart of Durham Region’s economy for more than a century. The industry’s continued support here in Durham reflects the dedication and strong foundations we all share in making this possible. I look forward to the high-quality products that come off the line at this plant, and can’t wait to see the positive effects that cascade throughout the region as a result.”
Keyword: GM Canada Announced First Chevrolet Silverado From Reopened Oshawa Assembly Plant