GM on Track to Build 35,000 Chevy Bolts Before Production Ends
Union official says Fairfax plant pace is far below the previously expected 150,000 units.
General Motors is currently on pace to produce approximately 35,000 Chevrolet Bolts before manufacturing at its Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas concludes next year, according to a United Auto Workers official who spoke with Reuters.
What Happened
UAW official Dontay Wilson told Reuters that the plant’s current daily production rate indicates a total output of 35,000 units by the time the Bolt’s run ends in the first quarter of next year. This figure stands in stark contrast to previous expectations, as the plant had reportedly been on track to manufacture around 150,000 units. These numbers are derived from daily production observations rather than official GM targets, and GM declined to comment on the specific production goals when contacted by the news outlet.
Why It Matters
The revised production volume underscores the significant shift in GM’s strategy following the expiration of federal EV incentives, which dampened demand across the sector. The Bolt, priced at $28,995 before destination fees, was reintroduced as a "limited run" model to fill the affordable EV gap, but sales have struggled to match previous highs. While the 2023 Bolt sold over 62,000 units in its best year, the current model has moved only 4,224 units in the first half of this year. The decision to scale back aligns with broader industry trends where manufacturers, including GM, have reduced EV production lines in response to softer market conditions, despite the new Bolt’s improved specs such as a 262-mile range and 150 kW charging speed.
The Bottom Line
GM’s Bolt production is slated to end in the first quarter of next year with a total volume near 35,000 units, a fraction of earlier projections and sales figures from the previous generation.
