General Motors no longer plans to produce most of its largest Silverados, citing softer industry demand for the diesel-powered delivery vehicles. The partner GM works with on the commercial trucks and some vans plans to sell the Ohio facility where they are made to a Canadian defense company.
The Detroit automaker confirmed May 15 to the Detroit Free Press that a venture to produce the 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD versions of the Silverado with International Motors concludes at the expiration of that contract on Sept. 30, 2026.
There were no GM layoffs tied to this announcement, according to the company.
GM opted not to renew the contract first signed in 2015 to produce the vehicles with Navistar, which rebranded as International Motors in 2024. GM provided the engines ― the 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 ― and bodies while International Motors provided the chassis and assembled the trucks at their plant in Springfield, Ohio.
GM spokeswoman Katie Adams said in a statement emailed to the Detroit Free Press that in addition to the large Silverado variants, select Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana Cutaway van variants also will be cut on Sept. 30 at the conclusion of the agreement with International Motors.
But GM plans to continue producing the majority of popular cutaway variants of the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana Cutaway van at its Wentzville Assembly in Missouri even after the contract with International ends.
“We are evaluating future portfolio options for Medium Duty and will share more information as it becomes available,” the statement concluded.
Why GM let the contract expire
Sam Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasting at Auto Forecast Solutions, noted that sales of 8,341 medium-duty Silverados last year would be inconsequential as a trim level, but too expensive overall for a vehicle that required its own assembly line and exclusive parts.
GM has decided that “this style of truck for heavy duties is not their place,” Fiorani said. “What they saw was a necessary market to be in but not enough that they would have a dedicated chassis for that, whereas Ford and Stellantis have done that.”
Meanwhile, the commercial uses for these vehicles, which Fionari said can be applied to construction sites and last-mile delivery, remain relatively healthy in the United States with the continued success of Amazon and other retailers.
GM discontinued the commercial electric BrightDrop van it produced in Ingersoll, Ontario, last year, citing poor sales and lack of demand for the last-mile delivery vehicle.
While these cuts significantly reduce the amount of medium-duty trucks that the company produces, GM is not exiting the segment entirely. GM still produces low cab forward trucks in 3500 to 7500 variants in both gas and diesel.
What will happen to the plant?
International Motors sold operating assets of the Springfield facilities to the Canadian company Roshel, a leading defense and commercial vehicle manufacturer, on March 30.
The decision was to pursue a buyer that would find an organization that would recognize the value of the UAW workforce, according to International spokeswoman Breana Whalen. Production of the vehicle International makes on site without GM, the International MV, is being moved to Mexico, she said.
About 1,325 UAW workers operate the site between the assembly plant and truck specialty center, Whalen added. As part of the transaction, Roshel has agreed to speak with the UAW about continued employment opportunities at the site.
Roshel, which is headquartered in Brampton, Ontario, intends to use the facility for production of commercial, special and armored vehicles. The company also cited “opportunities to expand production with other major commercial vehicle OEMs,” according to a news release.
This story has been updated to clarify the vehicles GM will still produce.
Jackie Charniga covers General Motors for the Free Press. Reach her at [email protected].
