General Motors Isn't 'Walking Away' From EVs: Exec

General Motors President Mark Reuss stated at the GM Forward event in New York that the automaker is not abandoning electric vehicles, despite a significant downturn in U.S. sales.

What Happened

During the event, Reuss emphasized that GM is "embracing" the shift to electrification rather than walking away from it. He noted that while the company is offering customers choice today through its internal combustion engine lineup, its investments in battery technology and EV platforms are committed to an electric future. "One of every four vehicles sold around the world is [an EV], and that number is only rising," Reuss said. "We're not walking away from that."

GM outlined a vision for a fourth-generation EV platform designed for mainstream adoption. This new architecture will utilize lithium manganese-rich (LMR) cells, which GM claims will cost about the same as lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries while offering energy density comparable to high-nickel batteries. The company stated that vehicles built on this platform will require 20% less battery capacity and weigh less than previous models. Additionally, the platform will feature a centralized computing architecture to support software-defined vehicles.

Why It Matters

The announcement comes as GM faces headwinds in the U.S. market, where EV sales have faltered following the disappearance of the federal tax credit and changes in regulatory pressures. Chevrolet EV sales have been roughly cut in half this year, and electric Cadillac sales are down about 10%. The company has also scaled back some initiatives, including ending production of the Chevrolet Bolt with fewer units produced than expected and discontinuing Honda variants of GM’s Ultium cars.

However, the global context remains critical for GM’s strategy. In September, EVs accounted for approximately 30% of car sales in Europe, with new EV sales outpacing combustion vehicles in some countries. GM’s experience in China, where electrified vehicles are vastly more popular than gas-powered ones, informs its long-term outlook. Reuss indicated that the fourth-generation EVs should launch "very shortly," though specific details and a precise timeline were not fully disclosed.

The Bottom Line

GM is pivoting its EV strategy toward lower-cost, more efficient platforms like the fourth-generation architecture with LMR cells, aiming to remain competitive as the U.S. market recalibrates and global demand for electric vehicles continues to rise.