Chevrolet Bolt could be axed in GM plant reshuffle

The Chevrolet Bolt’s days could be numbered in the US, between recall efforts and General Motors’ upcoming plant retools.

6

Introduced in 2016 following the warmly-received, Australian-built concept, the Bolt EV marked the first all-electric GM production car since the limited EV-1 in 1996. A slightly bigger Bolt EUV joined the range last year.

However, a battery fire in September 2020 prompted a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation, which evolved into a recall for all 140,000 Bolts produced at a cost of almost US$2 billion (AU$2.83bn).

6

Bolt EUV and EV

No Bolts have rolled out of GM’s assembly plant in Orion, Michigan, since last November, with the shutdown slated to last through February at least. In the last three months of 2021, just 25 cars were sold. GM has even been forced to buy back some Bolts from owners without an open space to store their cars, as advised by the recall notice.

6

The Bolt’s future has been thrown into further jeopardy by GM’s announcement that the Orion plant will be retooled for the upcoming Silverado and GMC Sierra EVs. The new models will use the brand’s fresh Ultium EV architecture, a system not used by the older Bolt.

6

Bolt EUV

Speaking to CNN, a GM representative would reveal little on the Bolt’s fate.

"Production of the Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV will continue during the plant's conversion activities to prepare the facility for production of the Silverado EV and Sierra EV pickups. We are not disclosing any additional information at this time about Bolt EV or Bolt EUV production."

GM has yet to confirm a timeline for when the retool will be completed.

6

If the Bolt is discontinued in the near future, the Ultium-based Equinox EV could act as an indirect replacement. Built on more current technology, the Equinox is also larger than the Bolt and tipped to be cheaper, starting at US$30,000 (AU$42,452). Alongside a new Blazer, the Equinox is set to arrive in mid-2023.

GM plans to launch 30 new electric vehicles by 2025, two thirds of which will be available in the US market. It's not yet known how many are expected to reach local shores.