General Motors (GM) believes it has the manufacturing capacity within its existing network as the transition to EVs heats up. The automaker does not plan to close or open new plants as it looks to maximize efficiency within its current footprint.
GM’s top manufacturing executive, Gerald Johnson, told Automotive News in a recent interview the company looks to use its existing manufacturing network as it converts its lineup to electric.
After selling over 20,000 EVs for the first time in Q1, GM anticipates a breakout year with several new high-volume electric models launching.
Although the American automaker is discontinuing its bestselling Chevy Bolt EV and EUV models at the end of the year, GM is preparing for an all-electric future based on its Ultium platform.
Chevrolet is launching several new Ultium-based EVs later this year, including the Silverado EV (deliveries starting this quarter), Blazer EV (launching this summer), and the Equinox EV (launching this fall).
Unlike rival Ford, who is building an all-new $5.6 billion EV mega-campus in Tennessee, GM plans to convert its plants as it shifts to EVs.
2024 Chevy Silverado EV RST (Source: Chevrolet)
GM will convert plants amid EV shift, no closures planned
GM revealed in 2020 that it would convert its Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center into its first dedicated EV assembly plant, Factory Zero.
During the announcement, Phil Kienle, GM vice president of North America Manufacturing, said, “Factory Zero will serve as GM’s flagship assembly plant in our journey to an all-electric future.”
From left to right: 2025 GMC Sierra EV Elevation, 2025 GMC Sierra EV AT4, 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 (Source: GMC)
Some of the first EVs built at the factory include the GMC Hummer EV and SUV, which will soon be joined by electric Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups.
After ending production of the Chevy Bolt EV later this year, the Orion Assembly plant will support future EVs built on the Ultium platform.
2024 Cadillac Lyriq models (Source: GM)
At its Spring Hill, Tennessee, facility, GM is building the electric Cadillac Lyriq as it phases out gas-powered models. GM also invested nearly $500 million into its Marion Metal Assembly plant to prepare the facility for an all-electric future.
Johnson said this week in an interview at Flint Assembly:
I’m sure we will do more all-EV plants, but we assess every plant based on its infrastructure and what it can handle and what we can convert, [refurbish] or maybe even just expand slightly so that we can accommodate what we need for EV production and for ICE production.
GM’s manufacturing leader added he does not see the automaker closing any facilities. Instead, they are working on using them as efficiently as possible. He said, “Right now, we believe we have the right bandwidth to support the balance,” although he clarified forecasting is not a perfect science and adjustments may need to be made.
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Following approval from Transport Canada, EV startup Workhorse will be bringing the W56 and W750 model electric delivery vans to commercial truck dealers in Canada as early as this spring.
“This is a major step forward for Workhorse,” says Josh Anderson, Workhorse’s chief technology officer in a press statement. “Pre-clearance from Transport Canada opens up a large new market for our products throughout Canada, including with fleets that operate across borders in North America.”
Despite that uncertainty, Workhorse execs remain upbeat. “We’re excited that our electric step vans can now reach Canadian roads and highways, providing reliable, zero-emission solutions that customers can depend on,” added Anderson.
Canadian pricing has yet to be announced.
Electrek’s Take
FedEx electric delivery vehicle; via Workhorse.
There’s no other way to say it: the Trump/Musk co-presidency is disrupting a lot of companies’ plans – and that’s especially true across North American borders. But in all this chaos and turmoil there undoubtedly lies opportunity, and it will be interesting to see who ends up on top.
The new Liebherr S1 Vision 140-ton hauler is unlike any heavy haul truck currently on the market – primarily because the giant, self-propelled, single-axle autonomous bucket doesn’t look anything like any truck you’ve ever seen.
Liebherr says its latest heavy equipment concept was born from a desire to rethink truck design with a focus only on core functions. The resulting S1 Vision is primarily just a single axle with two powerful electric motors sending power to a pair of massive airless tires designed carry loads up to 131 tonnes (just over 140 tons).
The design enables rapid maintenance, as important components easily accessible for quick servicing. Wear parts can be replaced efficiently, and the electric drive significantly reduces maintenance work. This helps to minimise downtimes and increases operational efficiency.
LIEBHERR
Because of its versatility, durability, and ability to perform zero-turn maneuvers that other equipment simply can’t, the Liebherr S1 Vision can be adapted for various applications, including earthmoving, mining, and even agriculture. There’s also a nonzero chance of this technology finding applications supporting other on-site equipment through charging or fuel delivery.
The S1 accomplishes that trick safely with the help of an automatic load leveling system that ensures maximum stability, even on bumpy or rough terrain. The company says this technology significantly reduces the risk of tipping while providing smooth and secure operation across various environments.
The HD arm of Hyundai has just released the first official images of the new, battery-electric HX19e mini excavator – the first ever production electric excavator from the global South Korean manufacturer.
The HX19e will be the first all-electric asset to enter series production at Hyundai Construction Equipment, with manufacturing set to begin this April.
The new HX19e will be offered with either a 32 kWh or 40 kWh li-ion battery pack – which, according to Hyundai, is nearly double the capacity offered by its nearest competitor (pretty sure that’s not correct –Ed.). The 40kWh battery allows for up to 6 hours and 40 minutes of continuous operation between charges, with a break time top-up on delivering full shift usability.
Those batteries send power to a 13 kW (17.5 hp) electric motor that drives an open-center hydraulic system. Hyundai claims the system delivers job site performance that is at least equal to, if not better than, that of its diesel-powered HX19A mini excavator.
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To that end, the Hyundai XH19e offers the same 16 kN bucket breakout force and a slightly higher 9.4 kN (just over 2100 lb-ft) dipper arm breakout force. The maximum digging depth is 7.6 feet, and the maximum digging reach is 12.9 feet. Hyundai will offer the new electric excavator with just four selectable options:
enclosed cab vs. open canopy
32 or 40 kWh battery capacity
All HX19es will ship with a high standard specification that includes safety valves on the main boom, dipper arm, and dozer blade hydraulic cylinders, as well as two-way auxiliary hydraulic piping allows the machine to be used with a range of commercially available implements. The hydraulics needed to operate a quick coupler, LED booms lights, rotating beacons, an MP3 radio with USB connectivity, and an operator’s seat with mechanical suspension are also standard.
HX19e electric mini excavator; via Hyundai Construction Equipment.
The ability to operate indoors, underground, or in environments like zoos and hospitals were keeping noise levels down is of critical importance to the success of an operation makes electric equipment assets like these coming from Hyundai a must-have for fleet operators and construction crews that hope to remain competitive in the face of ever-increasing noise regulations. The fact that these are cleaner, safer, and cheaper to operate is just icing on that cake.