GM installs robots at flagship EV factory after laying off 1,300 workers

General Motors is ramping up automation at its flagship electric vehicle plant in Detroit by introducing dozens of robotic arms, even as 1,300 employees remain laid off from what was initially deemed a temporary situation. This move has ignited significant backlash from unions concerned about the future of jobs in the automotive industry. Approximately 50 robotic arms manufactured by FANUC, a robotics company based in Japan, have been installed at GM's Factory Zero. These robots are intended to assist in attaching crucial components to vehicles on the assembly line. However, the United Auto Workers (UAW) union has voiced strong disapproval, especially given that no laid-off workers have been reinstated since their temporary layoffs began in March. "More than 1,000 union members are still laid off indefinitely," stated James Cotton, president of UAW Local 22, emphasizing that the company could have chosen to recall some workers instead of opting for automation. These temporary layoffs followed a previous round of permanent layoffs affecting about 1,200 workers at the same facility in October 2025. The trend of automating assembly lines is not unique to GM; other major automakers like Stellantis NV and Ford Motor Company have also integrated robotic technology into their operations. Notably, Hyundai Motor Company is planning to introduce Atlas humanoid robots from Boston Dynamics, which it acquired in 2020, at its EV facility in Georgia by 2028. Andrew Bergman, a laid-off member of Local 22 and a union organizer, criticized corporate executives for prioritizing profits over their workforce. He remarked, "Technological development has the capability of making work safer for the working class and enabling workers to have a shorter work week without losing pay. But in the hands of bosses and billionaires, it’s used to pad profits and lay off workers." Additionally, contrasting narratives emerged during events held in Detroit concurrently, highlighting divergent views on automation. The Reindustrialize Summit showcased startup leaders advocating for the empowering potential of robotics in manufacturing, while the UAW Constitutional Convention featured warnings from UAW president Shawn Fain about the risks posed by humanoid robots and mass automation, particularly regarding worker employment and wage disparities in an era of growing wealth inequality.