General Motors intends to build a more affordable version of the Chevrolet Bolt, as part of its plan to invest $13.3 billion in U.S. facilities with a focus on expanding its electric vehicle (EV) production. According to Reuters, GM is considering whether to build a lower-cost version of the Bolt EV at its Fairfax, Kansas plant in 2025.
GM’s planned investments through April 2028 were outlined in the UAW’s summary of the new contract it negotiated with GM on Nov. 4. The UAW summary noted that GM expects to invest $1.25 billion in its Lansing Grand River plant in Michigan and $391 million in its Fairfax plant.
The UAW summary did not specify products or timing for GM's Fairfax and Lansing plants. GM currently builds the Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac XT at Fairfax and the Cadillac CT4 and CT5 and Chevrolet Camaro in Lansing. All of those vehicles have combustion engines.
GM said on Monday it would not comment on the tentative agreement pending ratification by the UAW. In a statement, the company said, "We'll have more specifics around product details moving forward."
The Chevy Bolt is GM’s top selling EV. In Q1 2023 the automaker sold 20,670 EVs, and only 700 of those were non-Bolts.The Bolt is currently assembled at GM's Orion Assembly plant in Orion Township, Mich.