General Motors will discontinue production of the Chevrolet Bolt EV in about a year and a half, as the automaker shifts its manufacturing locations. The move reflects changes in the economic and political landscape, influenced by the previous administration's tariff policies and the elimination of the federal EV tax credit, which had offered up to $7,500 for eligible electric vehicles. These factors have increased the cost of producing vehicles in China and Mexico for sale in the United States.

The Chevy Bolt EV, currently priced at $29,990 including destination fees, is the only vehicle manufactured at the Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas. Production of the 2027 model, which recently arrived in dealerships, is expected to cease as GM repositions its manufacturing footprint.

According to GM, the next-generation Buick Envision, currently manufactured in China, will be moved to the Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas, beginning in 2028. The gas-powered Chevrolet Equinox, currently produced in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, will also be relocated to the Kansas plant.

The factory reshuffling comes as the automotive industry grapples with evolving trade dynamics and government incentives. The Trump administration's tariff policies and the subsequent removal of the EV tax credit created a more expensive environment for importing vehicles into the U.S.

The decision to end Bolt production may disappoint some consumers, as the vehicle is one of the most affordable new EVs available in the U.S. However, GM's move to bring Buick Envision production to the U.S. signals a commitment to domestic manufacturing. The shift could also be seen as a response to growing consumer demand for American-made vehicles.

The changes are expected to take place over the next several years, with the Buick Envision's relocation slated for 2028. The future of the Fairfax Assembly Plant beyond the Envision production remains unclear, but the move signifies a strategic realignment of GM's manufacturing operations in response to changing economic and political conditions.