GM plans to end Chevy Bolt EV production later this year
The Bolt is getting zapped as its battery cells are older than what's seen in other electric vehicles from GM like the Cadillac Lyriq.
General Motors shared plans to cease production of the Chevrolet Bolt by the end of the year. The news comes courtesy of General Motors CEO, Mary Barra, in a statement made to investors during a discussion of GM’s earnings for Q1 2023.
As noted by outlets like CNBC, the reason behind GM ditching its Bolt models (both the EV and EUV) center around its battery cells being older in design than GM’s other electric vehicles using its Ultium architecture like the Cadillac Lyriq or GMC Hummer. Additionally, the Bolt has suffered setbacks including recalls over supplier-related battery issues which resulted in several fires.
“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,” said Chevy spokesman Cody Williams. “Chevrolet will launch several new EVs later this year based on the Ultium platform in key segments, including the Silverado EV, Blazer EV and Equinox EV. ”
Moving forward, GM plans to produce over 70,000 Bolt models before the end of the year and is targeting sales of over 400,000 EVs from 2022, through 2023, into the first half of 2023. CEO Mary Barra also remarked that a Detroit plant that produced Bolt vehicles since they were first rolled out 2016 will be retooled in preparation of production for its electric Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks next year.
A plant in Orion, Michigan which also produces Bolt vehicles will see employment nearly triple according to Barra when it reopens, with the company looking to have the capacity to build 600,000 electric trucks annually. It’ll be interesting to see how GM’s shift from its affordable Bolt to more expensive electric truck models like the Silverado EV will impact the company’s earnings and sales, and whether GM will introduce other small, affordable vehicles along the lines of the Bolt in the future.
Now that you’re caught up on GM’s plans to ditch the Bolt by the end of 2023, be sure to brush up with some of our previous coverage, including General Motors and Samsung SDI planning to build a new battery cell factory by 2026, and Tesla saying that Cybertruck factory tooling is on track with Alpha versions currently being produced.
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replyMorgan Shaver posted a new article, GM plans to end Chevy Bolt EV production later this year
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How many people do you know who can afford to live alone and a new car?
So many people can't afford a fun little toy car AND live alone. Se we are seeing more examples of couples who are buying new cars together with their partners, and if you're going to go in on a car with your partner, you're going to want to plan for expansion and utility. Kids and shit.-
Or, alternatively, if you can't afford a fun little toy car AND live alone you might reconsider the choice of having children since they're 100x more expensive than a car.
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Live alone in car
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Contrary to popular belief you can fit a whole family in a 5 seat car.
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Drove a few Bolts via AAA ride sharing GiG program. They were fantastic when they weren’t trashed.
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GM again on a roll with terrible decisions. Hope it works out for them
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https://www.chevrolet.com/electric/equinox-ev this is the option going forward
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There will be a window of opportunity where there will be 0 new EVs for sale in the US for under 30k (with the tax credit). The Equinox is slated to be around 30k at the base trim, but the top end trim is being released first in 2024. The closest would be the Leaf, but the new law mandates mean it it no longer qualifies (Nissan currently gets their batteries from AESC, a Chinese owned corp).
Anyone looking to buy under 30k will need to shop used. If people shop around they can find the last few Bolts off the line at msrp around 32-34k, 25-27k after rebate, so you'd like be able to sell yours with low mileage at 20-24k?
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So say from February 2024 through October 2024, or whenever the base Equinox comes out, at which point, the Bolt is going to be very outdated with the 50kw charging speed.
Would be a hard sell above 15k at that point. (assuming 30k base price equinox - 7.5k tax credit=22.5k new vs at best 1 year old bolt with low mileage 28k after tax credit - 1 year depreciation) Also factor in the 4k used tax rebate starting in 2024 for 1 owner used EVs sold from dealers.
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I rented a small Yaris hybrid recently and it’s great - insane efficiency, room for 2x computers and gear for a LAN party…I’d gladly use an all electric equivalent.
This obsession with huge cars is so ridiculous. My family camping holidayed around Europe in a Ford Capri with two doors and a small hatchback boot, you don’t need a goddamn SUV for school runs. Most of the time I see them around London there’s one person in them.
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Wonder if they make money on them.
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That sucks. It had great range and was affordable with the minor con of occasionally bursting in to flames. Seriously though small cars are good and i'm sad they're going away.
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No more Carplay/Android Auto either: https://www.engadget.com/gm-is-phasing-out-apple-carplay-and-android-auto-in-evs-163104494.html
I really liked the Bolt EUV. Shame. I'll be looking at Hyundai/Kia instead.
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