Back in January, GM Authority exclusively reported that General Motors was poised to discontinue production of the current-generation Chevy Bolt EV and Chevy Bolt EUV during the 2023 calendar year. This past April, GM confirmed that production of both entry-level, all-electric vehicles would indeed come to an end later this year. Now, GM CEO Mary Barra has hinted that there may be a next-gen Chevy Bolt in GM’s future.
GM CEO Mary Barra in 2021
During a recent interview with Marketplace, Barra addressed the discontinuation of the current-generation Chevy Bolt EV and Chevy Bolt EUV, indicating that the decision was made based on the models’ second-generation technology. GM is currently deploying its third-gen EV technology in the form of GM Ultium batteries and GM Ultium drive motors, as found on models like the GMC Hummer EV, Cadillac Lyriq, Chevy Silverado EV, Chevy Blazer EV, and Chevy Equinox EV, among others.
However, Barra also said that GM was keen to fall back on nameplates and brands that have yielded success in the past – and that includes the Chevy Bolt EV and Chevy Bolt EUV.
“We’re leveraging the names of our vehicles that are well understood and known in industry,” Barra explained. “People, you know, who drive an Equinox today will understand what an Equinox EV, what that delivers to them. But, you know, Bolt is something that has built up a lot of loyalty and equity. So I can’t say more because I don’t discuss future product programs. But, you know, it was primarily a move from second generation to third generation. But that’s [an] important vehicle in our portfolio.”
Production of the current-generation Chevy Bolt EV and Chevy Bolt EUV will come to a close at the end of the 2023 calendar year, with both models currently produced at the GM Lake Orion plant in Michigan. The facility will be retooled to support production of the Chevy Silverado EV following a major investment.
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Comments
What GM and she don’t seem to understand is the damage done when you kill off a name. Why do that and then “hint” that they may bring it back while saying the Bolt name has built name recognition in the automotive place? How stupid can they really be?
GM was 100% wrong for bringing the Hummer brand back. They should have diverted that investment towards bringing out (in a much better way) the Lyriq and Celestiq as well as allowing GMC to be the EV of trucks for GM. They easily could have left Hummer in the ash piles where it belongs while building a very strong GMC EV truck and SUV. Later they could trickle that down to Chevy for those trucks. In the mean time, they should have put that money towards refreshing and/or redesigning the Bolt.
I see very little that GM does any more that makes sense and that’s designed to retain the loyal GM customers.
The battery fires and recalls hurt this nameplate, despite this there is strong demand for this ideal commuter car. GM loves to cut their losses and move on to the next thing (when not involving full size trucks/SUVs) rather than incrementally improve existing vehicles. Look at how much money they invested in the Volt and Bolt including advertising, only to toss them aside. I had a 2013 Volt that was flawless to 140k that I passed on to one of my kids – it lost about 20% of its battery only range and I’ll replace the 16.5kWh battery myself (~$10k) when it finally does die as the car is worthless at that point. Beyond replacing tires and wiper blades, this car has been 100% trouble free with 88% of the mileage battery only.
I wish they would have kept the model on sale for another year, would have been even better if they prepared an Ultium version.
The ‘point of sale’ EV credit is right around the corner and would have made the Bolt the most affordable EV ever.. even more so than it already was.
Can’t call it a Bolt anymore but stay tuned for the Chevy Jolt, Colt, or my favorite Chevy Dolt. Can we get a stripped down Celistiq and call it a Chevelle EV SS please?
GM needs the plant to expand Silverado EV production.
I hate that Chevy is shutting down production of the EV Bolt. I understand it’s to retool the Michigan plant to produce the Silverado Ev. Seems like they could have kept producing the Bolt and retooled a different plant to produce the EV Silverado. I suppose there is a good reason that we are not aware of, it just seems like it is such a slow process churning out the new EV’s which I am excited about. I wish Chevy nothing but success as I own two of their products and really like them.
I want the Bolt EV Premier, with Ultium, Ultifi, Power hatchback, SuperCruise or UltraCruise, etc. With my 2019 Bolt EV Premium I am the sole occupant over 99.9% of the time and do not need or want a larger vehicle. But I do like the gadgets and luxuries. Also a fast charging, long range battery would help me travel on cross country vacations. Unless your revive the Bolt line, GM will have no option for me after the end of this year.
Sounds to me like its going to Mexico
Chinese company NIO is going to build an economical EV in Mexico next year that will take over for the Bolt. GM made a mistake by not using Ultium in the Bolt now. The Chinese always capitalize on American mistakes.
Bolt will become a “World Car” not sold in the USA.
If GM needs facilities and space for production of Silverado EV, why not consider moving production of Bolt EVs to Mexico or Korea? There are even factories in Korea that are temporarily suspended but still owned by GM.
Maybe that is the plan to move Bolt production to another facility where they can lower costs. I would assume Mexico to take advantage of the tax credit. I assume we’ll see a 2025 model year Bolt/Trax announced late this year or early next year. I think the only thing GM is working on is calling it the Trax EV or Bolt EV. Prior to the uproar, I’m pretty sure it was going to be called the Trax EV.
Toyota just announced new solid-state battery technology with a reported range of 900 miles and 80% charging time of 10 minutes. If indeed this is true this is a game changer and makes GM’s Ultium batteries/technology antiquated.
Toyota executives are idiots who claimed that lithium battery technology was still unrealistic when GM launched Volt. It’s been a long time since Toyota announced it would mass-produce solid-state batteries, but not a single prototype has been unveiled yet, and they keep saying they’re ‘in development’. Solid-state battery technology has no substance.
Just wndered what is a solid solid state battery?
I have leased a 2017 Bolt and now am in a lease with a 2020 Bolt which will end this December. I’d lease a 2023 Bolt EUV but find the dealer unresponsive. I wrote (emailed) Mary Barra about no path for me and got no reply. I may just buy my 2020 Bolt for $21000 since I only have 7,000 miles on it and forget about GM, but I’d prefer to have the Bolt EUV if I could work out another lease. Any suggestions from you-
I’d buy the 2020 Bolt. You’re never going to get a 2023 now with production winding down. By ‘25 there will be many more EV options in the US. Several from China.
Thanks. I keep hearing how great a car the Bolt is from customers and it brought me into the Chevy fold since 2020, so I’m going to buy it as you suggest.
I would buy chevy electric bolt euv right now if they were on sale. Come on mary barra get that plant moving. You will find in time that plant will only be producing chevy bolts. It will be that busy.
A future chevy bolt EUV owner.
I LOVE my orange 2017 Bolt premier. Such a solid car. I’m keeping it as long as possible. Just changed the half shaft washers in the front (common wear issue) $8 each, but $350 labor. Other than that, it’s been tire rotations, new set of tires and wiper blades. Just needs some cosmetic touch up and she’ll be like new. 🥰
Of course the battery recall replacement but that was a perk really as it increased my range. The only drawback is the charging infrastructure.