General Motors will discontinue production of the Chevrolet Bolt EV in about a year and a half as part of a broader restructuring of its manufacturing operations. The move, confirmed to TechCrunch, will see the next-generation Buick Envision, currently manufactured in China, shift to the Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas starting in 2028. This factory is currently dedicated to the Chevy Bolt EV.
The decision reflects a shifting economic and political landscape, influenced by tariffs enacted during the Trump administration and the elimination of the federal EV tax credit, which previously offered up to $7,500 in savings for qualifying electric vehicles. These factors have increased the cost of producing vehicles in China and Mexico for sale in the United States. The Chevrolet Equinox, currently built in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, will also move to the Kansas plant.
The Chevy Bolt EV, with a starting price of $29,990 including destination fees, has been one of the most affordable electric vehicles available to U.S. consumers. Its discontinuation marks the end of an era for GM's entry-level EV offering, even as the company invests heavily in its Ultium platform and a new generation of electric vehicles.
Industry analysts suggest the move signals a strategic realignment for GM, prioritizing domestic production and responding to evolving trade dynamics. The shift also highlights the challenges automakers face in balancing affordability, profitability, and geopolitical considerations in the rapidly changing EV market. The changes have made it more expensive to build vehicles in China and Mexico that are then sold in the United States.
Production of the 2027 Chevy Bolt EV, which recently arrived in dealerships, is expected to cease in approximately 18 months. The Buick Envision's relocation to the U.S. is slated for 2028.
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