General Motors is gearing up to unleash an onslaught of new all-electric models, with “at least” 20 new EVs slated to arrive by the 2023 calendar year. Naturally, such a monumental shift towards electrification is going to take a substantial change to GM’s production facilities, and the GM Detroit-Hamtramck (otherwise known as D-HAM) plant is slated to take on the majority of assembly responsibilities for the automaker’s new EV efforts. Now, according to GM CEO Mary Barra, retooling efforts at the new GM EV plant are on track despite the recent COVID-19 shutdown.
Barra confirmed the GM EV plant retooling effort progress during a recent virtual fireside chat with members of the media. During the call, Barra was asked if the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent disruptions had impacted retooling efforts at D-HAM.
“I’ve been impressed with how the team has been continuing to meet development,” Barra answered. “They’re right on track.”
The future GM EV models will be based on two new platforms designed specifically for all-electric applications. These include BEV3 and BT1, the former of which is designed to underpin cars, crossovers, and light commercial vehicles, while the latter is designed for pickup trucks and SUVs. GM also has its new Ultium battery technology, which will juice the forthcoming EV models.
All told, the new GM EV plant will certainly have its work cut out for it. GM’s EV onslaught will start with the Cadillac Lyriq crossover and GMC Hummer pickup, both of which will launch next year. Following these will be the GMC Hummer SUV, an electrified version of the Cadillac Escalade, and the Cruise Origin AV, the latter of which is designed as a self-driving taxi.
From there, the new GM EV line will expand to the Buick and Chevrolet brands, each of which will offer a new midsize crossover EV model. Cadillac will expand with a smaller crossover model that will slot in below the Lyriq, while Chevy will also get a commercial van.
Further entries include a sporty, low-roof crossover over.
With so many new all-electric models just over the horizon, news that the primary GM EV plant is on track with retooling efforts is a good thing. So far, the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the debut of the new Cadillac Lyric and GMC Hummer EV, which were originally scheduled for reveals in April and May, respectively.
Comments
Bring on the EV’s! With 2 Bolts in my garage, I look forward to seeing more GM electrified vehicles on the road.
I have a 2012 Volt and 19′ Bolt 🙂
Is anybody going to buy them ?
Call me a cynic, but I still don’t see the supporting EV infrastructure, at least in my area. It’s not a problem for me at this time because I was lucky enough to buy a Volt while Mary still sold them! So I drive electric 95% of the time with no worries. Too bad she no longer makes them so others could share my joy.
Why did this have to be shut down completely to be retooled? The bolt and sonic are still built on the same line.
I think the Bolt and Sonic are made at Lake Orion, not D/Ham.
I know but they’re built on the same line. Why couldn’t they do the same thing with the CT6 and anything electric at d/ham.
My understanding is that this is a fairly major overhaul to optimize the operations specific for EV’s. This will bring scale and reduce costs for production.
The Bolt and Sonic are on the same platform. The Bolt just being heavily modified.
Bring it on! I own a Volt and my wife a Bolt EV. After owning the Bolt EV we have never had a situation where we needed the Volt in over two years of owning our Bolt EV. Even when we took our Bolt EV from Canada to Florida and back.
While I love our Volt. I will be replacing it in a few years with a full BEV. I really don’t see a need to have a gas car anymore.
Of note I live in a small town of about 10K people about 50 miles from the nearest sizable city. So for anyone thinking EV’s are just local city cars. Grow up and use your head and think for yourself for once.