General Motors announced the company will end Chevrolet Bolt production at the end of this year.
The Michigan factory, which produces the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV, will be retooled to produce electric trucks for the brand.
The Bolt has been a relatively successful endeavour in the EV market for GM since being introduced in 2016. Last year, the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV were GM’s best-selling electric cars.
The move to end Bolt production does not come as a shock. Industry analysts have long predicted the end of the vehicle as it runs on an older type of battery. The Bolts also had a massive recall for the 2017-2022 model years due to LG battery defects causing fires, which may have been the brand’s final nail in the coffin.
However, over the years, the Bolt has grown quite a following, so the fact that GM decided to scrap the brand instead of revamp it with the Ultium battery could be a big missed opportunity for the automaker.
The new look lineup for GM without the Bolt is big and pricy. The current lineup includes the Chevy Silverado, Cadillac Lyriq and GMC Hummer. The company will also launch the Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Blazer SUVs in the coming months. However, GM is now without a smaller EV which could lead to current Bolt owners looking elsewhere for a replacement.
