General Motors has announced its plans to initiate battery module production at its Ingersoll plant in the second quarter of 2024, in response to the growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs). The move comes as a crucial step towards overcoming the current bottleneck in battery supply that has affected the plant’s operations.
The upcoming facility, spanning approximately 37,000 square feet, will be responsible for assembling battery cells into modules for GM’s BrightDrop brand of electric transporter vans manufactured at the Ingersoll plant. Moreover, the modules will also be utilized in electric vehicles based on GM’s Ultium platform, which are produced at other GM plants. This expansion is expected to generate nearly 300 new job opportunities, bolstering the local economy and fostering progress in the EV industry.
However, the specifics regarding the source of the battery cells, which will be assembled into modules in Ingersoll, remain undisclosed. GM’s joint venture with LG Energy Solution, Ultium Cells, is known for its battery cell manufacturing capabilities, with a single operational plant in Ohio. The extent of the future production capacity for EV battery modules in Ingersoll has not been revealed either. Industry insiders suggest that production in Ingersoll is slated to reach 50,000 electric transporters annually by 2025, though it is unclear how many of these modules will be designated for GM’s internal use and how many will be supplied to other plants.
Beyond the Ingersoll plant, General Motors is actively looking to increase the production capacities for battery modules at its other North American EV facilities. The company’s plans for expansion are yet to be fully disclosed, leaving the public in anticipation of further details.
This decision comes after GM faced disruptions in its BrightDrop electric transporter production at the Ingersoll plant, with the entire month of July witnessing a halt in production due to battery supply challenges. By establishing the new battery module assembly line at the CAMI plant, GM is positioning itself to embrace an all-electric future and exhibit innovation, flexibility, and growth amidst the automotive industry’s transformative phase.
Marissa West, President, and CEO of GM Canada expressed enthusiasm for the company’s commitment to propelling its all-electric vision, emphasizing the significance of the Ingersoll plant’s role in this journey. The addition of EV battery module assembly to the site is expected to contribute significantly to the progress of the industry during this era of momentous transformation.
