BrightDrop to launch sales in Mexico this year

General Motors’ label BrightDrop is eyeing its next big market. Following the US and Canada, Mexico is next to receive the company’s electric vans as BrightDrop targets fleet customers. The new market entry also marks the end of a challenging period for the GM brand.

In Mexico, GM confirmed today that it intends to launch sales of the Zevo 400 and 600 vans before the year’s end. The news comes coincides with a report by the GM Authority blog announcing that BrightDrop restarted Zevo 600 production at its plant in Ingersoll, Ontario province, Canada. The company reportedly had to halt the lines in July due to battery supply issues concerning the necessary resources.

General Motors primarily obtains battery cells through its Ultium Cells joint venture with LG Energy Solution and assembles batteries at its first plant in Ohio. A second plant in Tennessee is under construction and expected to be operational in 2023.

However, the plant in Ingersoll will also start assembling batteries by Q2 2024 to support GM’s increasing number of electric vehicles. The battery cells will be manufactured at GM Ultium cells plants – two more are planned in  Michigan and Indiana – and assembled into vehicle packs at Ingersoll and either used in BrightDrop vans or sent to other EV production facilities.

Until then, the battery supply will remain a bottleneck for the plant and BrightDrop. GM Authority adds that the Zevo 600 has approximately four years of orders currently on the books.

The electric cargo vans utilise GM’s Ultium platform. BrightDrop specifies an average range of 250 miles and a peak charge rate of up to 160 miles per hour via 120kW DC fast charging.

Once launched, customers in Mexico will be able to configure the Zevo 400 or 600 with options such as front or all-wheel drive along with different battery options. Select Mexican dealerships will provide after-sales services.

“We are proud to introduce an unprecedented vehicle to the Mexican market. Its combination of advanced safety offerings, convenience features, and best-in-class range make it the ideal option for our customers,” said Paco Garza, GM Mexico president and managing director.

“Bringing BrightDrop’s products to Mexico is a key move in our mission to decarbonize delivery globally while helping customers take advantage of the economic benefits of going electric,” said Steve Hornyak, BrightDrop’s chief commercial officer. “By bringing BrightDrop solutions closer to our customers throughout North America, we can help make the EV transition as seamless as possible.”

General Motors launched BrightDrop in the US in 2021 and production in Canada at the end of 2022 after introducing a small series with the help of an unnamed partner. Production of the smaller Zevo 400 van on a large scale is scheduled for this year. At total capacity, Ingersoll is expected to deliver 50,000 electric transporters annually by 2025. Customers include FedEx, Walmart, Hertz and Verizon, Merchants Fleet and DHL Canada.

gm.com (Mexico), gmauthority.com (Ingersoll)