General Motors has announced a delay in the production of electric pickup trucks at its Orion Assembly plant in Michigan. This decision is attributed to several factors, including a slowdown in the demand for its electric vehicles (EVs) in the US and the need for engineering improvements to enhance their electric trucks’ profitability.
Originally, GM had planned to begin electric pickup truck production at the Orion plant in the coming year. However, the company now expects to commence the production of electric Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV pickups in late 2025, representing almost a two-year delay.
In the interim, the Orion Assembly plant will continue to produce the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV electric cars as planned, and the affected workers will have the opportunity to transfer to other GM plants in Michigan until the plant reopens.
The automaker clarified that the delay is unrelated to the ongoing United Auto Workers (UAW) strike but is instead influenced by market conditions. The recent statistics show that EV sales in the US have plateaued after a period of rapid growth. In August, EVs accounted for 8.3% of total vehicle sales, but that figure dropped to 7.9% in September. (via Automotive News)
Nonetheless, experts predict that the growth of EV sales will continue, albeit at a slower rate than we have seen thus far. As the demand for EVs evolves, manufacturers are focusing on improving engineering and cost efficiency to cater to a broader audience.
