We’ve got some bad news for many of our friends across the pond– the United Kingdom won’t get the incoming 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, or any vehicle similar to its likeness for that matter.
According to Autocar, GM officials at the Frankfurt Motor Show confirmed a production version of the vehicle would land in Europe but won’t be sold in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).
While GM surely has its reasons, it seems like a missed opportunity to us; the UK is home to more than 44-million people and the (relatively) compact EV would be well suited to many of its narrow roadways. Not to mention the fact the car’s 200-mile range would surely allow it to traverse vast swaths of the small yet densely populated area– heck, the entire UK is about half the size of California (UK = 94,060 sq/m, California = 163,696 sq/m).
GM will assemble the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV at its Orion Assembly plant in Michigan and sources indicate production will commence later this year for introduction as a 2017 model year vehicle. It will have a projected range of at least 200 miles, though early prototypes are already showing promising signs of going beyond that range.
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Indicates low production numbers initially, due to the high battery costs. Breakeven for GM likely will hinge on subsidies as a result.
Putting it another way, if GM could serve the demand, they probably would. Gamma-derived vehicles certainly are RHD friendly, so that leaves the battery costs and profit margins as primary suspects.
Yes I expect this to be a slow start up for several reasons. One this is a slow growth segment. Also this is all new technology.
GM will focus this car on markets that crave electric cars and not force them on markets that are tepid at best. Tesla has done this as they started in California were people who best embrace this kind of product can help set trends and make a product popular in other parts.
They are doing the same too with the Volt.
I am not sure England is a prime market yet as many people have row houses and garages are not all that common in many areas. Many people just do not have the ability to charge a car at home.
I also agree on the start up cost too. They will want to get the set price for the vehicle and not discount them in soft electric markets.
To me this is just the next step from the Volt and a proof of concept vehicle that will prove to the public what GM can do.
Well, the LEAF isn’t a thing of beauty.
But it’s the best-selling plug-in in the world, and already comes in RHD.
And I’d guess it does, in fact have global appeal. through June 2015 …
“The top markets for Leaf sales are the United States with 80,000 units sold, followed by Japan with about 53,500 units, and Europe with around 41,500.”
Biggest market in the US is Atlanta. Go figure.
Sorry to be pedantic folks, but the UK is home to 64 million people, not 44 million.