The new Chevy Bolt EV just went into production at GM’s Fairfax plant in Kansas in November, but it won’t be built there for long. Once Bolt production ends, GM plans to build only internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles at the facility.
GM to end Chevy Bolt EV production for ICE vehicles
After introducing the new and improved 2027 Chevy Bolt EV last October, GM said it would be available for a limited time, but didn’t specify how long.
GM announced on Thursday (via Bloomberg) that it’s ending production of the Buick Envista, which is currently made in China, with plans to begin building it at its assembly plant in Kansas, starting in 2028.
The Envista has been built in China and imported into the US since 2017, but GM is facing higher tariffs thanks to the Trump Administration, which went into effect last year. Onshoring production “strengthens GM’s domestic manufacturing footprint and supports US jobs,” GM said in a statement to Reuters.
Although GM just began building the new Bolt EV in Kansas using LFP batteries from China’s CATL, in November, it’s already planning to convert the facility to produce only ICE vehicles.
Chevy’s gas-powered Equinox will join it in 2027. With plans to begin building the Envista at the plant in 2028, Bolt production will likely end in about a year and a half.
Outside of Tesla, GM sold more EVs in the US last year than any automaker, primarily due to the affordable Chevy Equinox EV and Cadillac’s growing luxury lineup. The Bolt EV, starting at under $30,000, was designed to position Chevy as a leader in the affordable EV segment.
GM even said a “next-gen affordable” EV, outside of the Bolt, would be built in Kansas after announcing plans to invest $4 billion to ramp up domestic production last year.
The 2027 model was expected to be the first of a family of Bolts. If and when we see those, it remains up in the air. GM didn’t go into detail, but we should find out more soon. Check back for the latest updates.
GM’s announcement comes after the company said it would take about a $6 billion hit earlier this month after pulling back on its EV plans.
In the meantime, if you’re interested in finding affordable Chevy models in your area, check out the links below to find local listings.
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