General Motors halted mid-size truck production in 2024 to retool factories for electric vehicles

In early 2024, General Motors announced it would suspend production of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon — its two mid-size pickup trucks — to prepare manufacturing plants for electric truck models. The shutdown affects the company's assembly facilities in Wentzville, Missouri, and other locations. GM did not announce a firm restart date, though the company stated the pause would last several months.

This suspension is part of GM's broader shift toward electric vehicles. The company is investing heavily in EV truck platforms and wants to use existing factory space and equipment rather than build new plants. For people shopping for a new mid-size truck, this means fewer new Colorado and Canyon models are available through dealerships, and used inventory of recent model years may become harder to find.

Key Takeaways

  • GM stopped making the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon in 2024 to convert factories for electric truck production.
  • The suspension created a temporary shortage of new mid-size trucks from GM, though other manufacturers like Ford and Toyota continue producing their mid-size models.
  • Used Colorado and Canyon trucks from 2023 and earlier may hold their value longer because new supply is limited.
  • GM plans to introduce electric versions of its mid-size trucks, but the timeline and pricing remain uncertain.

Which GM trucks were affected by the shutdown

The suspension covered two vehicles: the Chevrolet Colorado and the GMC Canyon. Both trucks share the same platform and are built at overlapping facilities. The Colorado is GM's mainstream mid-size offering, while the Canyon is the upscale GMC version with higher trim levels and pricing.

Full-size GM trucks — the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra — continued production during this period. The mid-size suspension did not affect those larger models or any other GM vehicle lines.

Why GM made this decision

GM cited the need to prepare manufacturing capacity for electric trucks as the primary reason. The company is developing an electric mid-size truck platform and wanted to use existing factories rather than build new ones. Retooling a factory requires shutting down the current production line, retraining workers, installing new equipment, and testing the new assembly process — all of which takes months.

The decision also reflects broader industry trends. Truck buyers have shown growing interest in electric options, and GM competitors like Ford are also investing in EV truck production. By pausing mid-size gas truck output now, GM aims to position itself to launch electric versions when demand is ready.

How the suspension affected truck availability and pricing

During the production pause, new Colorado and Canyon inventory at dealerships declined. Buyers who wanted a new mid-size GM truck faced longer wait times or had to choose from remaining dealer stock. Some dealerships offered discounts on leftover 2023 and 2024 model year trucks to clear inventory before the suspension took full effect.

Used Colorado and Canyon prices initially held steady or increased slightly because the supply of new trucks tightened. Buyers shopping for used mid-size GM trucks found fewer recent model years available, which can support higher resale values for owners of those vehicles.

What happened to workers during the suspension

GM facilities affected by the suspension did not lay off workers permanently. Instead, the company used a combination of voluntary retirements, transfers to other plants, and temporary layoffs. Some workers were reassigned to other GM factories producing different vehicles. The United Auto Workers union negotiated terms for affected employees, including recall rights when production restarted.

Factory retooling typically involves retraining workers on new assembly processes and equipment. During this period, some workers received training for electric vehicle production lines, which differ significantly from gas truck assembly.

When production was expected to restart

GM did not announce a specific restart date when the suspension began. The company stated the pause would last "several months," but the exact timeline depended on how quickly the retooling and testing phases completed. Industry observers expected production to resume sometime in late 2024 or early 2025, though GM's official communications remained vague about the precise schedule.

Dealerships and GM's customer service lines could provide the most current information about when new Colorado and Canyon trucks would return to production. Buyers interested in these vehicles were advised to contact local dealerships directly for updates.

Alternatives if you needed a mid-size truck during the suspension

Buyers who needed a mid-size truck while GM production was paused had several options. Ford's Ranger and Toyota's Tacoma continued production and were available at dealerships. Nissan's Frontier was also in production. These competitors offer similar size, capability, and price ranges to the Colorado and Canyon.

Buying a used Colorado or Canyon from model years 2022 and earlier remained an option, though inventory was limited. Some dealerships had certified pre-owned trucks available with warranty coverage. Buyers could also wait for production to restart if they were not in an when ready time crunch.

What to expect when production restarted

When GM resumed Colorado and Canyon production, initial output was likely to be limited as the company ramped up the retooled assembly line. Dealerships may have had waiting lists of customers who ordered trucks during the suspension. New model year trucks typically arrived at dealerships in waves rather than all at once.

Pricing for newly restarted production was expected to remain competitive with other mid-size trucks on the market. GM did not announce price increases tied to the production pause, though supply constraints could influence dealer pricing in the short term.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the suspension affect the full-size Silverado and Sierra trucks?

No. GM continued producing full-size Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks throughout the mid-size suspension. Only the Colorado and Canyon lines were paused. If you needed a full-size GM truck, those models remained available at dealerships.

Will the new electric Colorado and Canyon cost more than the gas versions?

GM has not released pricing for the electric mid-size trucks yet. Historically, electric vehicles cost more than their gas counterparts at launch, but federal tax credits and state incentives can offset some of that difference. Pricing details should become available closer to the launch date.

Can I still buy a 2024 Colorado or Canyon?

Depending on when you are reading this, some 2024 model year trucks may still be available at dealerships as remaining inventory. Availability varies by location and trim level. Contact local dealerships to see what is in stock, or ask about ordering a truck when production restarts.

What if I already ordered a truck before the suspension started?

Customers with existing orders were typically notified by their dealership about revised delivery timelines. GM worked with dealers to communicate delays to buyers. If you had an order in place, your dealership should have provided updates about when your truck would be built and delivered.

Are other truck manufacturers also pausing production?

Ford, Toyota, and Nissan have not announced similar suspensions of their mid-size truck lines. Each manufacturer has its own timeline for transitioning to electric vehicles. Ford is developing an electric Ranger, but the gas version continues production while that work happens.