The Chevy Bolt EV is now in its 16th month on sale in the U.S. market and 14th month in Canada. Sales are doing relatively well, with the model setting all-time sales records during 11 of the 12 months of calendar year 2017. And it looks like Chevy wants to sell even more of the small electric car/crossover by introducing a new package targeted at fleet buyers that deletes the rear seats.
According to a recently-updated GM order guide for the 2018 Chevy Bolt (linked below), the 2018 Bolt will soon introduce the Rear Seat Delete Package, which is assigned RPO code K1T and includes the following items:
- Rear seat delete (ATZ)
- Modified airbag system (AYG), including:
- Driver and front passenger dual-stage frontal airbags, includes Passenger Sensing System
- Head-curtain side-impact and thorax side-impact seat-mounted for front outboard seating positions
- Driver and front passenger knee airbags
- Tire inflation kit (KTI)
- 16″ steel wheels (PWM)
- 205/55R16 all-season blackwall tires (Q1N)
- Incomplete vehicle designation (VXT)
The package deletes the following items from the “regular” Bolt EV with two rows of seats:
- Rear floor mats (B33)
- Air bags (AYF; replaced with AYG air bags)
- Rear 60/40 split-folding seat (A64)
The package is only available on the LT (1LT) trim level, meaning that it’s not available on the Premier (2LZ) model. What’s more, it is not available with the rear cargo double floor storage option, Comfort and Convenience Package or Driver Confidence Package.
Lastly, the 2018 Chevy Bolt Rear Seat Delete Package requires a Fleet or Government order type, and is listed as a ship through order (WL5), for which there is a $350 charge on the invoice. That means that it is produced at the GM Lake Orion plant in Michigan and is then shipped to Knapheide Truck Equipment in Flint, Michigan, from where it’s then returned to the GM Orion plant for shipping to its final destination.
The order guide, which was last updated March 2nd, 2018, states that the the Rear Seat Delete option on the Bolt EV does not go into effect until March 10, 2018.
Outside of the $350 ship thru charge, it’s currently unclear what impact opting for the package will have on the final price.
More Information & Reporting
- Chevrolet info
- Chevrolet Bolt EV info
- 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV info
- 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV info
- 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV updates, changes, new features
- 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV order guide
- 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV info
- Chevrolet Bolt EV info
- General Motors news
- Running General Motors sales numbers
- Running Chevrolet sales numbers
- Running Chevrolet Bolt sales numbers
- Running Chevrolet sales numbers
Comments
The closest thing to the HHR panel van, although I don’t see anything listed that indicates solid rear passenger doors.
They probably should. You know, just because…
Bolt racing series??
Or GRC Bolt!?
A two door two seater with max room to stretch out!
Here’s a idea make a really fast one the handles really good
The Hightower Edition…….
Govts/Fleets can qualify for various federal/state/local incentives; my best guess is there’s some incentive that requires a lower a MSRP than the current $37,500 and this is how GM elected to get there…I would imagine in the next few months we’ll hear about a big govt/fleet order…
Why does GM alway have to put restrictions on stuff? Why can’t you just order the seat delete in any confirmation you want?
It’s most likely because GM made a special exception for a Fleet/Govt customer since as the article states: “That means that it is produced at the GM Lake Orion plant in Michigan and is then shipped to Knapheide Truck Equipment in Flint, Michigan, from where it’s then returned to the GM Orion plant for shipping to its final destination.”
As to why? We most likely will not receive a straight answer for years…
Configuration
From “insideevs””
This option requires a rear cargo upfit through an approved upfitter. Specialty Vehicle Manufacturers currently slated to ship-thru and upfit this option include Adrian Steel and Knapheide.
Jalopnik provided an update via the folks over at ChevyBolt.org in the form of a fleet order guide posted on GM Global Connect. It’s shown in its entirety below:
Distribution Updates
Updates for Bolt EV
Week of 3/5/2018
Effective 3/5/2018, the following changes will be made to the Vehicle Order Guide:
•Interior section-(K1T) Rear Seat Delete Package, added “DOES NOT GO INTO EFFECT UNTIL MARCH 10, 2018.” to the beginning of footnote 1.
How easy is it to remove the rear seats from a regular Bolt? I regularly want maximum cargo area (two front seats only), but at other times need to carry rear seat passengers.
The gen 1 Volt handles this pretty well since the rear seat bottoms are removable, providing a flat cargo floor.
Removing the rear seat bench and back should be easy. Look up the Bolt EV service manual for that information. I have the service manual for my Equinox and it is easy to remove the back seats..
Fair question as ultimately you’re asking why GM is sending the Bolt to Knapheide Truck Equipment to make basic modifications that they’re charging the customer $350 for? One possibility is that Knapheide could be a customer but the real answer is anyone’s guess…