General Motors is extending a production stoppage for the Chevy Bolt EV and Chevy Bolt EUV. The all-electric hatchback/crossover models will not resume production at the GM’s Lake Orion Assembly plant in Michigan until mid-October.
Production of the Chevy Bolt EV and Chevy Bolt EUV was halted August 23rd, and was originally scheduled to resume in September. Now, however, GM has extended the production stoppage until at least October 18th, stating that it will not resume production until it is confident that the recently expanded battery recall for the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV will adequately address the associated fire risk.
Late last month, General Motors expanded an existing product recall for the Chevy Bolt EV to all models and model years, including the all-new Chevy Bolt EUV. The recall is related to manufacturing defects in the Chevy Bolt EV and Bolt EUV battery packs, some of which may have a torn anode tab and folded separator, which could increase the risk of fire. Nearly 142,000 units are affected by the recall.
The battery defect was traced back to manufacturing processes from General Motors’ battery supplier, LG Energy Solution. General Motors has indicated that it is pursuing reimbursements from LG. As part of the recall, GM will replace all existing battery packs in Chevy Bolt EV and Bolt EUV models, a move that is estimated to cost roughly $1.8 billion.
As of Thursday, the battery defect has been linked to 12 fires and three injuries. One of the latest fires occurred in Georgia, as GM Authority covered previously. Chevy Bolt EV and Bolt EUV owners are advised to limit charging their vehicles to a maximum of 90 percent, while avoiding frequent recharging and depletion of the battery capacity below 70 miles remaining. Customers are also advised to park their vehicle outside immediately after a charge session, and not to charge their vehicle indoors overnight.
Production of the Chevy Bolt EV and Bolt EUV aren’t the only models facing stoppages as several other North American GM production facilities are now idle as a result of the ongoing global microchip shortage.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy Bolt EV news, Chevy Bolt EUV news, Chevy news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
The Bolt factory in Lake Orion needs a retool. The Bolt is too old and basically obsolete at this point. I think it would be wise for gm to bring production of a b/c segment vss-f to the U.S. As gm continues to lose market share to the Korean and Japanese manufacturers in this segement, it might be wise to invest a little bit of their “record profits” to domestic projects that ensure ample market share into the future.
Equinox would be a good fit for Orion. Mexico cannot handle 200K+ units of additional Nox production after it is moved from CAMI.
I got a solution, 1.8L anyone?
These gm Lectrics are nothing but turds sucking all the investment dollars away from ICE vehicles!
They need to change the name to torch.
Issue the buy back already or I will start the legal process for a class action against you.
Bolt Owner
Before you do You should get in touch with Chris Paine. Then you could star in: Who Killed the Electric Car 2.
No thanks I have talked to several people already who also are owners not just people commenting on a vehicle they do not own and they are ready to start the process to. You are young I can tell but I have two kids there safety is my top priority I already gave this company another chance after my sister was killed because of there ignition switch mishap. So no they either do the right thing or get held accountable.
2 kids = 2 child seats = diaper bags, child strollers
+ enough disposable income to buy Chevy Bolt
??????
Sorry but there is no way we could have ever made a car the Bolts size work for my family when my son was little. I don’t see how it could work for someone with 2 kids.
One is 9 the other 7 so car seats are a thing of the past. Like I said earlier there needs to be accountability and there is not. Let’s hope this doesn’t turn into the ignition switch scandal again and multiple actually 124 people have to die before they do the right thing. My sisters life was worth more then anything they could ever offer in there settlement. And I’m sorry doesn’t mean a lot from a company who continues to die reckless things.
gm is spending a lot of money to fix some obsolete batteries.
add that to the total flushed down the toilet by the bolt.
If they produce defect free batteries they should all be going into the 140,000 vehicles in the hands of frustrated owners. They should be producing no new vehicles until this is solved.
GM will never recoup the money invested in these cars and are better off just buying them all back and moving away from the Bolt. GM has cancelled far better products that actually generated profits but refuses to accept the fact that the Bolt is a money pit!
Cavemen can still buy gas pickups last I checked from GM. I don’t get that GM is covering it’s bases like Ford and FCA is for future development. I don’t want an all EV lineup but at least GM would have a pick in case lefty Demos stay in office.
I think that “Bolt Owner’s” comment is the tip of the iceberg here. The Bolt production has historically been under 30,000 vehicles per year. Based on that vehicle volume the annual battery production capacity at LG is probably no more than 50,000. With 140,000 vehicles requiring a battery replacement it could be 2 – 3 years before the existing owners get a new battery (especially if GM resumes regular Bolt production as planned). In this upcoming 2 – 3 year time period GM has given Bolt owners detailed restrictions about where they can park the car or charge the car, have reduced the charge % down to 90%, and require recharging before the battery is fully depleted. All this greatly affects the practical use of the car over a significant time period. Depending on the lemon laws in each state, GM could be forced to buyback the cars due to loss of use.