GM Extends EV Plant Shutdown to April 13, Temporarily Lays Off 1,300 Workers

General Motors announced on March 30 that it is extending the production halt at its Factory ZERO in Detroit through April 13. The plant has been idled since March 16. This adjustment involves the temporary layoff of approximately 1,300 workers and aims to align electric vehicle (EV) output with currently weak market demand. The facility primarily produces the Chevrolet Silverado EV and the GMC Hummer EV. Amid persistently cooling EV demand, the plant has experienced unstable production over the past year, with output already cut by roughly 50% in January. GM previously recorded a $7.6 billion asset impairment charge related to its EV initiatives and is gradually shifting its focus toward higher-margin gasoline-powered pickups and SUVs. The company plans to ramp up heavy-duty pickup production at its Flint Assembly plant in Michigan starting in June and will add Saturday shifts later this year, though it has no immediate plans to hire additional workers. Despite gasoline prices rising to around $4 per gallon, GM stated that sales of its larger gasoline-powered vehicles have remained unaffected.