GM idles Detroit EV plant, temporarily laying off 1,300 workers

DETROIT, (Reuters) – General Motors is idling a Detroit electric vehicle plant until April 13, extending downtime ​that began on March 16, the ​company said on Monday.

“Factory ZERO will temporarily ⁠adjust production to align EV production with ​market demand,” a GM spokesperson said. The temporary ​layoff affects 1,300 workers.

The plant, which produces vehicles including the Chevrolet Silverado EV and Hummer EV, has ​had choppy production over the last year ​as GM confronts waning demand for battery-powered models. The automaker ‌cut ⁠output at the plant by about 50% in January.

GM, which has reported $7.6 billion in writedowns on its EV programs, is one of ​several automakers ​that have ⁠pared back their EV plans following significant regulatory shifts under U.S. ​President Donald Trump.

Instead, the industry is ​leaning ⁠into production of gas-powered trucks and SUVs, Detroit’s main profit machines. GM confirmed on Monday it ⁠plans ​to increase production of ​its heavy-duty trucks at a plant in Michigan starting in ​June.

Reporting by Nora Eckert; Editing by Chris Reese