Chevrolet Bolt sales decreased in the United States while increasing in Canada and South Korea in the second quarter of 2018.
Chevrolet Bolt EV Sales - Q2 2018 - United States
In the United States, Chevrolet Bolt EV deliveries totaled 3,483 units in Q2 2018, a decrease of about 23 percent compared to 4,500 units sold in Q2 2017.In the first six months of the year, Bolt EV sales increased about 4 percent to 7,858 units.
| MODEL | Q2 2018 / Q2 2017 | Q2 2018 | Q2 2017 | YTD 2018 / YTD 2017 | YTD 2018 | YTD 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOLT EV | -22.60% | 3,483 | 4,500 | +3.50% | 7,858 | 7,592 |
Chevrolet Bolt EV Sales - Q2 2018 - Canada
In Canada, Chevrolet Bolt EV deliveries totaled 818 units in Q2 2018, an increase of about 53 percent compared to 533 units sold in Q2 2017.In the first six months of the year, Bolt EV sales increased about 65 percent to 1,433 units.
| MODEL | Q2 2018 / Q2 2017 | Q2 2018 | Q2 2017 | YTD 2018 / YTD 2017 | YTD 2018 | YTD 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOLT EV | +53.47% | 818 | 533 | +65.47% | 1,433 | 866 |
Chevrolet Bolt EV Sales - Q2 2018 - South Korea
In South Korea, Chevrolet Bolt EV deliveries totaled 2,970 units in Q2 2018, an increase of about 935 percent compared to 287 units sold in Q2 2017.In the first six months of the year, Bolt EV sales increased about 1,015 percent to 3,122 units.
| MODEL | Q2 2018 / Q2 2017 | Q2 2018 | Q2 2017 | YTD 2018 / YTD 2017 | YTD 2018 | YTD 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOLT EV | +934.84% | 2,970 | 287 | +1,015.00% | 3,122 | 280 |
The GM Authority Take
The Bolt EV’s 22 percent drop in U.S. sales volume during Q2 2018 comes as a rather disappointing surprise, especially given that GM is boosting Bolt production by 20 percent in Q4 2018.
Bolt sales fell significantly faster than the segment average 5.24 percent during the quarter and Chevy’s other “new energy vehicle” – the Chevrolet Volt, outsold the Bolt EV during the quarter, the first time that such an event has taken place since the Bolt EV went on sale in all fifty states (see Chevy Volt sales).
Overall, the Bolt was outsold by the Honda Clarity family of alternative energy models, which include Plug-in Hybrid, battery electric and fuel cell, as well as by the Nissan Leaf, which is currently launching the all-new second-generation model. The only pure electric rival that the Bolt EV managed to outsell during the quarter was the Volkswagen e-Golf.
Sales Numbers - Alternative Energy Vehicles - Q2 2018 - USA
| MODEL | Q2 18 / Q2 17 | Q2 18 | Q2 17 | YTD 18 / YTD 17 | YTD 18 | YTD 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRIUS | -15.91% | 23,936 | 28,466 | -16.21% | 46,171 | 55,101 |
| IONIQ | +5.54% | 4,801 | 4,549 | +76.17% | 8,599 | 4,881 |
| CLARITY | * | 4,493 | * | * | 7,810 | 0 |
| VOLT | -19.24% | 4,336 | 5,369 | -28.52% | 7,814 | 10,932 |
| LEAF | +3.86% | 4,114 | 3,961 | -8.13% | 6,659 | 7,248 |
| BOLT EV | -22.60% | 3,483 | 4,500 | +3.50% | 7,858 | 7,592 |
| I3 | -5.16% | 1,507 | 1,589 | +17.11% | 3,504 | 2,992 |
| MIRAI | -29.22% | 281 | 397 | +4.94% | 743 | 708 |
| E-GOLF | -74.35% | 236 | 920 | -58.88% | 776 | 1,887 |
| TOTAL | -5.15% | 47,187 | 49,751 | -1.54% | 89,934 | 91,341 |
Note that Toyota Prius and Hyundai Ioniq sales figures are not exclusive to pure electric models, but also include Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid and Battery Electric variants of each vehicle.
About Chevrolet Bolt EV
The Bolt EV is the first mass-produced, all-electric vehicle from GM’s Chevrolet brand. The small EV went on sale in December 2016 as a 2017 model in two launch states (California and Oregon) as production of the vehicle was being ramped up. In August 2017, the Bolt became available nationwide across the U.S., which is a full month ahead of schedule.
For its second, 2018 model year, the Bolt EV receives a handful of small changes that consist of replacing the heated steering wheel with the automatic heated steering wheel as a standalone option and on the Comfort & Convenience Package, and deleting the front passenger seatback map pocket as standard equipment on 2LT trim level. For the 2019 model year, the Bolt EV is updated with three new exterior colors, the Tire Fill Alert feature, a new rear seat delete package for cargo purposes, and the newfound availability of the Driver Confidence II package on the LT model. In addition, the small electric car gains a new smartphone interface for vehicle entry, start and operation for car sharing purposes that is available exclusively to fleets.
The Bolt EV is built exclusively at the GM Orion Assembly factory in Michigan, United States. Production of the vehicle will be increased in the fourth quarter of 2018.
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to Chevrolet Bolt Q2 2017 sales, except as noted
- In the United States, there were 77 selling days in Q2 2018 and 77 selling days in Q2 2017
- In Canada, there were 77 selling days in Q2 2018 and 76 selling days in Q2 2017
- South Korea sales figures reflect actual vehicle registrations rather than wholesales
- Toyota Prius sales include Prius, Prius Prime, Prius C and Prius V
- Toyota Mirai sales include Mirai fuel cell vehicle
- Hyundai Ioniq sales include Ioniq Electric, Ioniq Hybrid and Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid
- Honda Clarity sales include Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, Clarity Electric and Clarity Fuel Cell
Related News & Info
- GM news
- GM forums
- Chevrolet Bolt EV information
- Running GM sales results
- Running Chevrolet sales results
- Running Chevrolet Bolt sales numbers
- Running Chevrolet sales results
- Q2 2018 GM sales results:
- U.S. GM Q2 2018 sales results
- U.S. Q2 2018 Chevrolet sales results
- U.S. Q2 2018 Cadillac sales results
- U.S. Q2 2018 Buick sales results
- U.S. Q2 2018 GMC sales results
- GM Canada Q2 2018 sales results
- Canada Q2 2018 Chevrolet sales results
- Canada Q2 2018 Cadillac sales results
- Canada Q2 2018 Buick sales results
- Canada Q2 2018 GMC sales results
- GM China Q2 2018 sales results
- GM Korea Q2 2018 sales results:
- Chevrolet Korea Q2 2018 sales results
- Cadillac Korea Q2 2018 sales results
- U.S. GM Q2 2018 sales results
Comments
Not surprised. With new competitors finally available, and Chevy does no significant advertising or discounts on ’18s. I’m waiting to see the deals on ’19s. Rather see it’s drive train in a SUV myself but how long to wait?
Certainly not a car for the masses-at least at this point. Perhaps most everyone that wants one has one…………..
Everyone will have their own opinion on “why” this is happening. For me, the list is as follows:
1. Not that aesthetically appealing, inside or out. Too utilitarian. I find my Volt looks better in both regards. I really think this is the #1 problem for a lot of people. It’s utilitarian and DULL. In contrast, look at the new Blazer design language.
2. Too small for many. It’s a tad smaller than a Trax; it’s a subcompact. The sweet spot in the crossover market is the “compact” class: Equinox, Rav-4, CR-V.
3. Cost. This is more a function of #1 and #2, than a pure issue in itself. The way it looks does not come across as a $40,000+ vehicle (going by sticker price, before tax credit, which is what many shoppers will do). Can GM afford a major price reduction, just as they did in the middle of the run for the first-gen Volt ? If not, maybe they can begin whittling the price down $1500 or so per model year, or add more value, through more tech, a nicer interior.
I want to buy one, I just can’t pull the trigger on it “as is”.
I don’t disagree with your first 2 points, but I don’t think the car is priced too high. When you sit down and do the math for a 5 year total cost of ownership it’s pretty clear that the Bolt represents a phenomenal value.
I bought one in June. Bolt LT with several options (heated seats/steering wheel, blind spot monitoring, cross traffic alert, winter mats, DC fast charging, and a couple of other things) sticker price $39.6. Dealer discount to $35.7 + $300 doc fee = $36k out the door. Minus $7500 federal tax credit = $28.5. Plus $1350 for level 2 charger install at my home = $29,850 total cost.
Now factor in that most drivers will save at least $1000/year in gas, maintenance, and repairs compared to a comparable ICE car and you are looking at a pretty darn good value. It’s the equivalent of an ICE car that cost $25k.
Now, one could argue that you will not save much in fuel cost over a Prius, and that’s true, but the Bolt and Prius are NOT comparable cars. The Bolt is much, much more fun to drive, and most people will gladly pay more for that. The type of car most comparable to a Bolt is a hot hatch. A hot hatch is an economy car that is fast and fun to drive – that’s exactly what a Bolt is. Hot hatches are mostly in the $25k-$30k range. Add to that the fact that the Bolt is silent and incredibly smooth. To me, getting one over a hot hatch was a no-brainer. If you keep the car for more than 5 years the savings will really add up.
Good analysis.
It’s also a problem when, in the first year, EVERY reviewer remarks on the bad front seats, and in response Chevy changes nothing.
Ultimately, the Bolt is basically a Sonic with a cutting edge electric powertrain. It turns out that people who spend $40K on a car expect the cutting edge powertrain to be packaged into a cutting edge car.
Not sure why GM still haven’t figured to put adaptive cruise and other tech as well as soft touch materials on either the Volt or Bolt? Cost? Complexity of electricity? Weight? What gives? It’s kinda hard to digest that at the price point you can’t get power seats on these two
I think demand for this car is high, but GM doesn’t want to sell more than they need to for maximum CAFE and other program credit. It is widely believed that GM loses a substantial amount of money on each unit sold, but doesn’t mind because they get that back in credits. Why would they mass produce and mass market a car they lose money on?
As to the car itself, I think it’s brilliant. I had to go to a neighboring state to buy one last month because there were fewer than 10 available in the entire state I live in, and dealers weren’t budging on the sticker price. In size and luxury it’s an economy car. In performance it’s a hot hatch (identical acceleration to the Golf GTI), and it’s as quiet and smooth as a Mercedes. On top of all that, it will save the average person at least $1000/year in gas, maintenance, and repairs. So it has the 5 year cost of ownership of a $22K-$25K car (I paid $28.5K after dealer negotiations and federal tax credit, nicely optioned), but is better than any ICE car in that price range.
Hope y’all don’t mind a Volt owner sharing his humble opinion here. This is what real world life in it has looked like for the last 5 years and 82K miles ( this month). $30,000 purchase price after 10 grand discount, minus $7500 credit used, minus $1000 / yr in average fuel savings vs. a 30 mpg car = $17,500 and dropping by the fuel savings per year. Not bad for a car that’s a blast to drive and has been 100% reliable AND that has and will do 3000 mile road trips with NO thought of any anxiety. When GM steps up to the plate with a 500 mile range AWD SUV EV at a fair price point it will share the garage with the Volt. My point is that it is real world usability that is hindering EV sales given the still limited charge points nationwide. Of course the lack of a clear leadership path from the swamp (DC) isn’t helping anything in the EV world either.