The brand new Chevy Bolt EV is ready to enter manufacturing later this yr, with one fewer shift, following GM’s discount in manufacturing plans at a number of US crops. Other than the Bolt, GM promised a brand new household of inexpensive EVs. Are these, too, now in danger?
GM says extra inexpensive EVs are coming, however when?
GM remained the quantity two EV maker within the US after back-to-back report gross sales months in July and August. Nevertheless, with the $7,500 federal tax credit score set to run out on the finish of the month, the corporate expects a slowdown.
On Thursday, GM despatched a notice to staff at its Spring Hill plant in Tennessee, outlining plans to cut back output of two Cadillac electrical SUVs, the Lyriq and Vistiq.
A supply near the matter confirmed the information to Reuters, saying the manufacturing halt will start in December. GM will considerably scale back output through the first 5 months of 2026, based on the supply.
GM can be delaying the second shift at its Fairfax Meeting Plant in Kansas Metropolis, the place the brand new Chevy Bolt is slated to enter manufacturing later this yr. The Bolt would be the first of a brand new collection of inexpensive EVs that GM intends to construct in Kansas.
Nevertheless, these too, could now be in jeopardy. In line with native information retailers, GM Korea Technical Analysis Heart (GMTCK), a spin-off of GM’s Korean subsidiary, was lately minimize out of a secret small EV venture it was creating.
GMTCK president Brian McMurray reportedly introduced internally final month throughout a visit to the US that the venture was cancelled and solely 30% to 40% full.
A GM Korea spokesperson clarified that “the EV venture being led by GMTCK was a worldwide enterprise, not undertaken solely by GM Korea. The spokesperson added, “The venture itself has not been canceled; the position of the Korean staff has merely modified.”
The brand new electrical automobile, dubbed “Enjoyable Household,” was scheduled to launch below the Chevy and Buick manufacturers, utilizing a single platform. Manufacturing was anticipated to start in 2027 with deliveries beginning in 2028.
GM Korea exports over 90% of the autos it makes to the US, however with the brand new auto tariffs, the subsidiary is anticipated to play a drastically smaller position, if any in any respect. The information is fueling the continued rumors that GM might withdraw from Korea altogether.
Along with the tariffs, South Korea’s lately handed “Yellow Envelope Legislation” might make it much more tough for GM with new labor legal guidelines.
Will this impression the inexpensive EVs GM is promising to launch within the US? They’re scheduled to be in-built Kansas, however with the R&D Heart, GM’s second largest globally, following the US, claiming to be excluded from a significant world EV venture, it might’t be signal.
Within the meantime, GM already has one of the crucial inexpensive electrical autos within the US, the Chevy Equinox EV. Beginning at below $35,000, the corporate calls it “America’s most inexpensive” EV with over 315 miles of vary.
With the $7,500 federal tax credit score nonetheless obtainable, GM is selling Chevy Equinox EV leases for below $250 a month. These days, it’s laborious to search out any automobile for below that.
Supply: Newsworks Korea
