GM cuts production at Canadian plant as strike hits U.S. parts shipments

Oshawa facility operating at half capacity as UAW strike in the United States takes a toll on supply chain.

The truck production line at GM's plant in Oshawa, Ontario. Photo: GM

General Motors (NYSE: GM) cut production at one of its Canadian plants as the strike of U.S. autoworkers disrupted parts shipments in its North American supply chain. 

The Oshawa Car Assembly facility in Ontario was operating at half capacity as of Sept. 18, with its truck production line halted. 

“The plant is doing everything it can, and trying to be as proactive as possible to mitigate this,”  said GM Canada spokesperson Jacqueline Thomson.

GM moved to curtail operations at Oshawa after nearly 50,000 United Auto Workers (UAW) went on strike on Sept. 15, slowing the flow of parts from its U.S. plants. 

The plant builds Chevrolet Impalas and Silverados, and the GMC Sierra. 

Thomson could not provide details about the affected parts, but said GM was looking for alternative sources.

Meanwhile, GM has temporarily laid off 1,200 its 2,400 workers at Oshawa. So far, the U.S. strike hasn’t affect GM’s other Canadian plants, CAMI Automotive and St. Catherines. 

GM plans to end vehicle production at the Oshawa plant at the end of 2019. The plant will be converted into a part-stamping and autonomous vehicle testing facility with a scaled-back workforce of 300.

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now