GM Plans to Close Up Production of the Chevrolet Bolt and EUV at its Orion Township, Michigan, EV Assembly Plant by 2024

GM plans to end production of the Chevy Bolt and EUV at the end of the year, announced Mary Barra in the earnings call Tuesday. The company plans to use the capacity at its Orion Township, Michigan, assembly plant to build electric trucks starting in 2024.

The end of production of the Chevy Bolt and EUV is bad news for affordable EV ownership. The Bolt is one of the least expensive electric vehicles currently on the market. The EV tax credit could lower the price even more.

But since the release of the Tesla Model 3 in 2018, Bolt sales have been less than impressive. The Bolt’s compact hatchback size is not what most American car buyers are looking for these days, instead preferring larger SUVs and trucks. And a recall of 2017–2019 model year Bolts related to a flawed battery that left the vehicle prone to fires didn’t help with sales either.

Honda is teaming up with a south Korean company to establish a new battery plant before the end of the year. It’s exploring its own battery tech, as well as a joint development with SES. Honda plans to have a demonstration line of solid-state batteries next year and will introduce them in new EVs in the second half of 2020s according to press materials.

As for the Honda GM partnership, it will also be extending to manufacturing strategies, as the automakers will work together to “increase competitiveness in the areas of core electrification components.” Honda will use a pouch-style that is similar to GM’s and not a cylindrical cell. Ultium batteries for its announced EVs. GM is working to build an electric vehicle battery plant in the US with a partner, and it’s following up on four domestic battery factories that it currently has in construction.