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Chevrolet Bolt Name ‘Could Go Either Way’, Says General Motors’ Alan Batey

When General Motors unveiled the Bolt concept at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, they stressed the ‘Bolt’ nomenclature was simply a concept name and may not stick around for the car to reach production in 2017. GM North America president Alan Batey echoed that sentiment in Chicago last week, but don’t think the Bolt name is entirely off the table.

“We’re still in the decision phase,” Batey told USA Today. “It could go either way.”

We would actually say ‘Bolt’ is a strong name for an electric vehicle if it weren’t for the existence of the Chevrolet Volt. If we had a penny for every time someone mistook Bolt for Volt in simple conversation, we’d probably have enough to buy the production versions of both cars. Batey understands the confusion, but also believes it’s good for the Bolt’s publicity.

“Some people think it’s confusing,” said Batey. “People are having some fun with it. It is generating awareness, which is good. It’s so conversational.”

The Bolt won’t go on sale for at least another two years, giving Batey’s team plenty of time to deliberate over the Bolt’s production name.  No matter what it’s called, Batey assures they will be “different vehicles for people with different needs.”

Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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