General Motors’ closure of its Bright Drop electric parcel-van plant in Ingersoll, Ont., cost US$1.8 billion, the automaker disclosed Tuesday.

Paul Jacobsen, the company’s CFO, told analysts on a conference call that the Ingersoll closure was part of US$6 billion in total expenses related to the company’s EV pullback in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. The pullback stemmed from U.S. President Donald Trump’s revised EV policies and reduced demand for the vehicles.

Jacobsen said the $1.8-billion charge comprised non-cash impairments, mainly due to the decision to stop producing the BrightDrop EV and impair certain EV-related assets.

Scrapped BrightDrop-related contracts and settlements with suppliers accounted for the remaining $4.2 billion of the $6-billion total, Jacobsen said.

“It is important to note that besides BrightDrop, we have not impaired our existing retail portfolio of EVs,” he said. “We are working to improve the profitability of these vehicles through new battery technologies, engineering improvements and operational efficiencies, along with a more rational EV market.

“As consumer adoption of EVs increases, albeit at a slower pace than previously anticipated, we expect to achieve the necessary scale to deliver EVs profitably over time.”

The Ingersoll plant shutdown eliminated 1,150 unionized jobs, The Globe and Mail reported. GM decided to stop producing the BrightDrop at any of its plants.

The Detroit-based automaker has indicated that the Ingersoll closure is only temporary and another vehicle will be produced at the plant near London, Ont. But GM has not announced any specific plans for doing so.

Known as CAMI, the plant was scheduled to open in November 2025 after being closed for retooling.

Flavio Volpe, CEO of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association was skeptical that the plant would reopen.

“I think this is very likely the end of production at Ingersoll,” he told The Toronto Star previously. “GM made a bad decision when it moved production of the Equinox from Ingersoll to the U.S. five years ago. In normal times, you can fix that, but with the trade uncertainty right now, it gives the company cover to close the plant.”

CAMI has received federal and provincial investments. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has warned that the province could file a lawsuit against GM if the company makes a misstep regarding the plant’s future.

GM reported Tuesday that it suffered a US$3.3-billion year-over-year loss in the fourth quarter of 2025 as revenues fell 5% to US$45.3 billion.

Pictured: BrightDrop delivery van.

Photo: General Motors Canada