After the denial of the members of the Communications of GM to the effect that the range Chevrolet Bolt was nearing the end, GM’s big boss confirmed that 2023 will be the last for Bolt EV And Bolt EUV.
It’s done, the death knell has sounded for the Chevrolet Bolt EV and its derivative, the Bolt EUV, which will live, in 2023, their last year of production. However, for weeks, GM Canada denied this news. We have to believe that we had to wait for the confirmation in good and due form from the big boss of GM, Mary Barra, who confirms to us that the Bolt will not make it past the 2023 model year.
The Chevrolet Bolt EV has never experienced the success expected by the manufacturer, at least on American soil where only 161,000 copies have found takers since its introduction at the end of 2016 as a 2017 model. In Quebec, however, it has experienced very good reception from electric vehicle enthusiasts. It is also considered to have been GM’s first true electric car with mass production.
While it’s the introduction of the Chevrolet Equinox EV compact sport utility that shows it the way out, it’s the large Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV pickup trucks that will take its place at the factory. Indeed, GM will invest no less than 4 billion US dollars for the conversion of facilities in Orion Township, Michigan. This investment will multiply the number of jobs by three in addition to technically allowing a production capacity of 600,000 copies annually.
The Chevrolet Bolt EV uses GM’s older generation of electric technology. With the arrival of the Ultium platform, which is found under the Silverado EV and Sierra EV, it is imperative to make the changes on the assembly line. This platform makes it possible to offer more possibilities to the manufacturer because of its great modularity. GM executive Steve Majoros is clear: “It’s just a natural progression, the next natural step for us. »
Even though Majoros is looking to the future, he readily admits that the Bolt EV has given GM a name for itself when it comes to electrification. “The Bolt has been a winning machine for us. More than 85% of buyers were new to the Chevrolet brand. For people who wish to acquire the Chevrolet Bolt EV or the Bolt EUV, GM is still accepting orders until the summer without however specifying an end date. After that date, GM’s compact electric front-drive vehicle will be the Equinox EV, with the first units expected in late 2023.
