GM Extends EV Plant Shutdown, Lays Off 1,300 Workers

General Motors has extended the shutdown of its Factory Zero electric vehicle plant in Detroit until April 13, temporarily laying off about 1,300 workers amid slowing demand for battery-powered vehicles. The pause, which began on March 16, marks the latest adjustment in production at the facility, a key hub for models including the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Hummer EV, GMC Sierra EV and Cadillac Escalade IQ.

A GM spokesperson stated that the plant would temporarily align electric vehicle production with current market conditions. Affected employees may qualify for supplemental pay and benefits under the company's collective bargaining agreement with the United Auto Workers union. This move follows a series of reductions at Factory Zero, where output was halved in January through a shift to single-shift operations, leading to the indefinite layoff of 1,200 workers late last year. Additional cuts totaling more than 1,100 positions occurred in early 2026, bringing overall job losses at the site to over 2,300 since the end of 2025.

Sales of vehicles produced at the plant have declined sharply in recent quarters. The Chevrolet Silverado EV saw deliveries drop 12.9 percent in the...