In a major announcement, General Motors (GM) CEO Mary Barra has officially confirmed the development of a next-generation version of the beloved Chevrolet Bolt. This news comes as a delight to fans of affordable electric vehicles, as the upcoming Bolt EV is set to build upon GM’s advanced Ultium battery and drive technology, promising enhanced affordability, extended range, and cutting-edge technology.
Barra expressed her excitement about the project, citing the current Bolt’s immense success with record sales, exceptional customer satisfaction, and high loyalty scores. The vehicle has also played a significant role in attracting new customers to the Chevrolet brand.
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“Our customers love today’s Bolt. It has been delivering record sales and some of the highest customer satisfaction and loyalty scores in the industry. It’s also an important source of conquest sales for the company and for Chevrolet.
We will keep the momentum going by delivering a new Bolt…and we will execute it more quickly compared to an all-new program with significantly lower engineering expense and capital investment by updating the vehicle with Ultium and Ultifi technologies and by applying our ‘winning with simplicity’ discipline.”
Mary Barra, GM Chair and CEO
The company plans to accelerate the development process and minimize engineering expenses and capital investment by integrating the latest Ultium and Ultifi technologies into the new Bolt. However, GM has not provided a specific launch date yet, promising to announce further details in the future.
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Although the automaker has not confirmed if the next-gen Bolt will offer two body styles like the current model – hatchback (Bolt EV) and crossover (Bolt EUV) – a teaser photo has been released, showcasing a portion of the tailgate with the new stylized badge featuring a lightning bolt on the letter “O.” The rear end of the vehicle will feature lower-set horizontal taillights, adding a fresh look to the design.
The forthcoming Chevrolet Bolt will be a valuable addition to GM’s growing lineup of all-electric vehicles, which includes the Silverado EV, Blazer EV, and Equinox EV – all set to launch this year.
The confirmation of the next-generation Chevy Bolt follows Mary Barra’s previous hint about the return of the entry-level EV. In her earlier remarks on NPR’s Marketplace podcast, she highlighted the Bolt’s strong loyalty and equity, without disclosing further details about future product programs.
The Ultium platform promises a significant advantage for the new Bolt, as it offers 40 percent lower battery costs compared to the outgoing model’s second-generation battery. This advancement may enable GM to offer the next Bolt at a starting MSRP below $30,000, potentially making it a highly competitive option compared to the expected pricing of the Equinox EV.
As GM focuses on its commitment to sustainable transportation, the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt EV holds promise for delivering an even better driving experience to electric vehicle enthusiasts. Automotive enthusiasts and consumers alike eagerly await further updates and the official launch of this highly anticipated electric car.
