GM’s Bolt EV is being phased out on the finish of the yr, however it’s anticipated to be revived as an excellent higher, lower-cost EV quickly.
Many had been dissatisfied to study GM’s Bolt EV, probably the most inexpensive electrical automobiles within the US, would finish manufacturing on the finish of the yr.
GM’s CEO Mary Barra confirmed the automaker is planning an Ultium-based Bolt EV successor this summer season following the optimistic response. Present manufacturing happens at its Lake Orion plant in Michigan, however GM is phasing it out to make room for the Chevy Silverado EV.
Barra defined on the corporate’s third-quarter earnings name that the brand new Bolt might be “an excellent higher EV” with engineering and manufacturing enhancements.
One of many largest modifications consists of an LFP battery. The following-gen EV would be the first Ultium-based EV to obtain LFP batteries, which is anticipated to decrease the worth tag.
The corporate has but to set a launch date, however in line with sources, the brand new Bolt EV may very well be a part of GM’s settlement with the UAW inside the subsequent few years.
GM’s Bolt EV anticipated as a part of the UAW settlement
GM’s next-gen Bolt is anticipated to be constructed at its Fairfax, Kansas plant, sources acquainted with the matter instructed Reuters.
In line with the report, GM is contemplating constructing the Bolt EV at its Fairfax plant and a brand new sequence of premium electrical fashions from Cadillac and Chevrolet at its Lansing Grand River plant in Michigan. The brand new sequence would additionally embody an all-electric efficiency Corvette mannequin.
The information comes as a part of a brand new tentative settlement between GM and the UAW. The deal consists of historic 25% wage will increase, higher retirement and healthcare, and different advantages.
GM expects to take a position $1.25 billion into its Lansing Grand River and $391 million into its Fairfax crops.
The automaker is contemplating constructing the next-gen Bolt EV on the Fairfax plant in 2025. Different Cadillac and Chevy EVs could be constructed at Lansing beginning in 2027.
GM at the moment produces ICE automobiles, together with the Chevy Malibu and Cadillac CT at Fairfax and the Chevy Camaro on the Lansing plant, alongside the Cadillac CT4 and CT5 fashions.
Electrek’s Take
The information comes shortly after GM introduced it might delay manufacturing of the Chevy Equinox, Silverado RST, and GMC Sierra Denali EVs.
With the Equinox EV pushed again, GM will want an inexpensive EV choice to fill the hole. It will be good to proceed constructing the present mannequin till the Equinox EV is able to launch. In any other case, GM dangers dropping market share to rivals like Kia, Hyundai, and Volvo, that are launching new, superior EVs.
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