GM's Bolt Bet Blindsided: Affordable EV Production Cut Short for Gas Cars

TL;DR: Just when you thought the affordable Chevy Bolt EV was back for good, GM pulls the rug out! The 2027 Bolt, which just started rollin' off the Kansas line, will be put on the back burner in about 18 months. Why? To make room for gas-powered cars like the Buick Envision. Looks like GM's playing musical chairs with its production lines, and the EVs are gettin' the short straw.

Meta: GM's plan for the revived 2027 Chevy Bolt EV is short-lived, as the company will end its production at the Kansas Fairfax plant after about 18 months to make way for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, notably the Buick Envision.

Now, I ain't sayin' GM's confused, but sometimes it feels like they're tryin' to drive a car with one foot on the gas and one on the brake! After much fanfare about bringing back the beloved and affordable Chevy Bolt EV for 2027, news just dropped that its run at the Fairfax plant in Kansas will be cut short after about 18 months. What's taking its place? Only a couple of good old-fashioned gas guzzlers, the Chevy Equinox and the Buick Envision. It's like building a fancy new vegan restaurant, then turning it into a steakhouse a year later!

The Tariff Twist and Strategic Shift

See, the Envision used to be built in China and imported to the US. But with those juicy tariffs from the Trump administration, GM's feelin' the heat to bring production stateside. So, goodbye Bolt, hello Buick! GM says it's 'strengthens GM's domestic manufacturing footprint and supports US jobs,' and, well, I guess you can't argue with jobs, even if they're pumpin' out internal combustion engines instead of zero-emission vehicles.

This move comes after GM just started building the new Bolt with those LFP batteries from China's CATL, and it was lookin' like a real winner for the affordable EV segment. Priced under $30,000, it was set to fill a big hole in the market. GM even talked about a 'next-gen affordable EV' after the Bolt. Now, that's all up in the air. It's like planning a big party, sending out invitations, and then canceling it for a quiet night in.

What’s Next

The 2027 Chevy Bolt EV will likely have a very limited production run, making it a collector's item before it even hits its stride. This strategic shift at GM's Kansas plant underscores the challenges automakers face in balancing EV commitments with current market demands, political pressures, and profitability. It also raises questions about GM's long-term commitment to affordable EVs and its broader electrification timeline. For consumers, it means fewer affordable EV options in the short term from GM.

So, if you were lookin' forward to that new Bolt, you better act fast! Because in this business, plans change faster than my mind on what to eat for dinner. And that's the truth, Ruth!