GM Ends Chevy Bolt Production to Focus on Trucks
April 25, 2023
Hopefully to be replaced soon by another 30k range model.
General Motors plans to end production of the Chevy Bolt EV and EUV at the end of 2023, GM CEO Mary Barra announced in an earnings call Tuesday. The company plans to use the capacity at its Orion Township, Michigan, assembly plant to build electric trucks starting in 2024.
The end of production of the Chevy Bolt EV and EUV is a huge blow to affordable EV ownership. The Bolt is one of the cheapest EVs currently on the market, with a starting price of around $24,000. The price could be even lower when applying the $7,500 EV tax credit.
But the Bolt EV and EUV were always at a disadvantage, built on GM’s older and soon-to-be-obsolete BEV2 platform. The automaker has since shifted to its Ultium battery architecture for its next-generation EVs, including the Cadillac Lyriq, Hummer EV, and GMC Sierra EV. For its part, Chevy is planning to launch a trio of Ultium-built EVs, including the Silverado EV, Blazer EV, and Equinox EV.
“When the Chevrolet Bolt EV launched, it was a huge technical achievement and the first affordable EV, which set in motion GM’s all-electric future,” Cody Williams, senior manager, for communications at Chevy, said in a statement. “As the company continues to grow it’s EV portfolio with the Ultium platform, and as construction continues at the Orion Township, MI, assembly plant in preparation for battery electric truck production beginning in 2024, Chevrolet confirmed Bolt EV and EUV production will end late this year.”
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As the Bolt is phased out, the Chevy Equinox EV will assume the mantle of GM’s most affordable plug-in model. The automaker has said the midsize SUV will get up to 300 miles of range and will start at “around $30,000” when its released later this year.
GM has said it plans to spend $30 billion by 2025 on the creation of 30 new plug-in models in its bid to overtake Elon Musk’s company as the leading EV company in the world. Tesla still dominates the relatively small EV market in the US, with around 66 percent market share, while GM only has around 6 percent.
Climate Denial Crock of the Week 
April 25, 2023 at 3:16 pm
Either GM is clearing the way for EVs from other vendors (Kia, Hyundai, VW, Telsa) or there is much more money to be made on trucks. I don’t have the URL handy but I was at a site last week claiming that GM had only built-sold two Silverados in the previous quarter. The main reason given was this: some companies, like Tesla, make their own batteries AND have made secondary and tertiary supply deals with other vendors. GM had not.
April 25, 2023 at 6:01 pm
Pickups are GM’s (and Ford’s) bread and butter, so I see this as a major commitment. As you say, others can pick up the smaller car slack.
NB: This chart ends in the middle of the pandemic hit.
April 26, 2023 at 11:11 am
I suspect this might be in anticipation of sodium-ion subcompacts. They are apparently already for sale in China.
April 28, 2023 at 1:32 am
Well of course. Because the US still has uniquely huge numbers of people with the money to buy them plus the blend of psychological conditions—addiction, narcissistic personality disorder combined with psychopathy and a collective form of autism—that demand ownership of compensatory objects like big overpowered trucks.
April 28, 2023 at 2:03 am
and armies
and nuclear weapons, and empires.
April 28, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Europeans are constrained by both regulations and a historic tradition of narrow streets (and parking).
April 29, 2023 at 10:21 am
Electric Vehicles Are Bringing Out the Worst in Us
The downside of heavy, overpowered trucks and SUVs
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/01/electric-vehicles-suv-battery-climate-safety/672576/