The key facts

  • GM is closing the Brownstown Battery Assembly plant near Detroit; Automotive News first reported the closure
  • The company says the reason is lease expiration, not changes to its EV strategy
  • Employees and production will be moved to other GM facilities; which ones was not disclosed

GM is closing a battery assembly plant

GM will close the Brownstown Battery Assembly plant located south of Detroit. Automotive News first reported the closure, and a GM spokesperson confirmed the information to TechCrunch. The facility assembled battery packs for the flagship electric Cadillac Celestiq, as well as electric drive units (motors) and batteries for the plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray.

The reason is the lease, not EV strategy

A GM spokesperson said the closure is not related to the company's electric vehicle strategy. According to them, GM leased the site, and the lease is coming to an end. Employees and work from Brownstown will be transferred to other GM facilities, but the company did not specify which ones.

Context of GM's EV strategy

Like many automakers, GM adjusted its electrification plans after the One Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law last year, which eliminated incentives for producing and selling electric vehicles. Since then, the company has reduced its public comments about EVs, but, according to TechCrunch, it has not abandoned a full transition to electric power.

What GM continues to do in the EV segment

GM continues to produce a number of electric vehicles, including the Chevrolet Silverado EV and the time-limited Chevrolet Bolt model. The company is also researching new battery chemistries, including lithium-manganese and sodium-ion, and is launching a new $900 million facility to accelerate the commercialization of its developments.