GM's Chevy Bolt EV Not Widely Available Until Spring
November 17 2016 - 3:50PM
Dow Jones News
General Motors Co.'s first long-range electric car won't be made
widely available for several months, with the auto maker planning
to sell the Chevrolet Bolt in California and Oregon in coming weeks
to meet its commitment to put it on sale in 2016.
GM has said its $30,000 Bolt will be on sale in the 2016
calendar year, a target that qualifies the car for certain product
awards and allows the company to say its car hits the market well
in advance of a rival product being developed by Tesla Motors Inc.
GM spokeswoman Michelle Malcho said Thursday the car is expected to
meet high interest, but will be offered in limited quantities in
2017.
"We are focusing on this year getting the cars ready for
customers…and doing it the right way," Ms. Malcho said. GM has seen
highest demand for its Volt plug-in hybrid car in California since
it went on sale in 2010, with 40% of all Volt sales coming from
that state.
Deliveries to other markets will be at a "slow flow" pace, she
said.
GM's Bolt, capable of driving more than 200 miles on a full
battery charge, has been praised for a lower price tag than other
long-range electric cars, which is possible using a $7,500 tax
credit. Motor Trend magazine this week named the Bolt its car of
the year and North American Car of the Year Jurors evaluating cars
going on sale in the 2016 calendar year have named the vehicle a
finalist for their coveted award.
Executives at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week said the Bolt
is an important car for both meeting increasingly stringent state
and federal emissions regulations and polishing GM's image. Tesla
has often been seen as the leader on electric cars, and a flood of
new entrants—ranging from Tata Motors' Jaguar to Volkswagen AG's
Audi—are planning to take Tesla on.
Nissan Motor Co.'s Michael Bunce, speaking during an interview
Wednesday, said the Japanese auto maker is revamping its Leaf
electric car and will show off a new version soon. He said the
vehicle will have battery-range upgrades and a revised design.
Tesla's Model 3, a less-expensive alternative to the auto
maker's Model S sedan and Model X sport utility, is slated to go on
sale in late 2017. The auto maker has indicated it will have
similar price and range of the Bolt.
A small batch of Bolts—a few hundred at most—will be used in the
fleets working for ride-hailing service Lyft Inc.'s, a partner of
GM, Ms. Malcho said.
John D. Stoll contributed to this article.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 17, 2016 15:35 ET (20:35 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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