GM significantly reduces production of the Chevrolet Bolt
General Motors will produce significantly fewer units of the new Chevrolet Bolt than originally planned. According to a union representative, production will only reach around 35,000 vehicles by the end of the model’s life in the first quarter of 2027 — compared to the originally planned approximately 150,000.
The new Chevrolet Bolt will only be manufactured in quantities of around 35,000 units.
Image: General Motors
It has been known since the beginning of the year that the new Bolt would have only a short market presence. GM positioned the model as a limited edition from the start and announced that production would end in 2027. What’s new now is the significantly lower production volume.
According to news agency Reuters, Chevrolet Bolt’s planned production volume has been reduced by around 75 percent. The estimate comes from Dontay Wilson, president of the local United Auto Workers (UAW) chapter, and is based on the current daily production volume at the Kansas City plant. GM itself declined to provide a specific production figure, stating only that it continuously evaluates market conditions and demand.
The Bolt was launched in early 2026 at an introductory price of $27,600, making it one of the more affordable electric vehicles in the U.S. As of the end of August, GM had sold 4,224 units according to Reuters.
Technically, the model has been significantly upgraded compared to the first generation. Its range is around 410 kilometers, with a fast charging capacity of up to 150 kW. It features a 65-kWh battery using LFP cells. As part of the 2027 model year update, the Bolt also comes with a native NACS charging port, allowing it to charge at compatible fast chargers without an adapter.
This reduction in production aligns with GM’s broader reorganization of its electric vehicle strategy. After the end of the $7,500 U.S. purchase incentive in September 2025, sales of battery-electric vehicles dropped significantly. Meanwhile, GM has realigned several of its factories to focus more on internal combustion engine vehicles.
GM Allows Chevy Bolt Only a Brief Comeback
Since the second quarter of 2025, the company has recorded total losses of $10.9 billion related to its electric vehicle business, according to Reuters. Although GM continues to produce around a dozen electric vehicle models, it has adjusted its original expansion plans several times recently.
A replacement plan already exists for the plant in Kansas City. There, the Chevrolet Equinox, currently produced in Mexico, and the Buick Envision, currently built in China, are set to be manufactured going forward. Both models feature internal combustion engines.
The reduced production of the Bolt also affects employment. The planned reinstatement of a second shift has been delayed. According to union representatives, nearly 1,000 workers are currently on indefinite leave.
