Chevrolet Bolt Dies Next Year After A Disappointing Return

[Sherminator98]

https://www.carscoops.com/2026/09/chevrolet-bolt-ends-soon/

 

Quote

It appears it will be even more limited than expected as Reuters is reporting production has been slashed by approximately 75%. This means that by the time the model goes out of production in the first quarter of 2027, only around 35,000 units will have been made.

The company was reportedly planning to build 150,000 units, so it appears bringing the Bolt back was a huge mistake and a giant waste of resources.

 

Yikes...that isn't a good sign, but then again a cheap, not compelling product isn't going to sell either. 

[danglin]

Shocker!! (NPI) An electric vehicle from one of the big 3 that is not selling well! 

Edited October 1 by danglin

[morgan20]

2 hours ago, Sherminator98 said:

Yikes...that isn't a good sign, but then again a cheap, not compelling product isn't going to sell either. 

 

The product itself is quite compelling actually. One of the automotive rags nominated it for "EV of the Year 2026" or somethin' like that:

 

 

The '27 Bolt's comprehensive glow-up couldn't come at a better time. America doesn't need another hyper-powered, hyper-expensive EV. This Chevy does something no other EV in our market has before: It democratizes modern battery-electric powertrain technology at a sub-$30K price while also offering the core creature comforts modern consumers expect. The fact that Chevy pins a $28,995 price to an EV with a spacious and versatile cabin, solid real-world driving range, spirited dynamics, and a general ease of use makes the '27 Bolt the right EV for right now.

 

The big shots at GM are either deliberately constraining Bolt production, or are utterly incompetent when it comes to marketing this product. Or maybe both.

 

[Sherminator98]

1 hour ago, morgan20 said:

The big shots at GM are either deliberately constraining Bolt production, or are utterly incompetent when it comes to marketing this product. Or maybe both.

 

It said they cut production because the lack of demand/sales. As for marketing that is whole other ball of wax. Also i'd say car mags don't really matter as much as they think they do-there are plenty of examples of products they like that don't resonate with the car buying public. 

 

I'm also going to assume this isn't a good sign for EVs-it was "cheap" but yet didn't generate any demand for itself, even though it was "cheap"

 

 

[Harley Lover]

2 hours ago, Sherminator98 said:

 

I'm also going to assume this isn't a good sign for EVs-it was "cheap" but yet didn't generate any demand for itself, even though it was "cheap"

 

 

Look at it. A consumer has to really want one to buy one. It is not a 'passion' product. 

[akirby]

1 hour ago, Harley Lover said:

 

Look at it. A consumer has to really want one to buy one. It is not a 'passion' product. 

It's the definition of anonymous blob.

[mackinaw]

1 hour ago, Harley Lover said:

 

Look at it. A consumer has to really want one to buy one. It is not a 'passion' product. 

 

I saw one yesterday and can't fathom why anybody would buy that thing. A toaster has more personality.   

[Texasota]

4 hours ago, mackinaw said:

 

I saw one yesterday and can't fathom why anybody would buy that thing. A toaster has more personality.   

It looks like the Chinese Dolphin and other Chinese EVs to me.

[rmc523]

I don't know why they brought it back.

 

Also, it was the same as it's been, so no real incentive for people to buy.

[Sherminator98]

19 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

I don't know why they brought it back.

 

Also, it was the same as it's been, so no real incentive for people to buy.

 

The battery was improved on it...otherwise your right. 

[Zestyg]

I test drove one and its actually excellent. I can understand why their owners love it and why it’s reviewed so well. But I also didn’t want to really buy it, its very small and doesn’t give you more than any other modern small crossover. If I had to buy a new car I’d consider it but there are more compelling value options (Trax, or another used Escape Hybrid) and used EVs (Mach-E or Equinox, even an ID.4). 
 

It is ultimately an unusually small subcompact SUV that is pricer than most of its ICE competition, and is too old of an EV to be more compelling than numerous off-lease used EVs. It would probably sell great in Europe right now, if GM sold things in Europe. I was very high on it but I was wrong. I think if it was bigger and had Carplay it would have sold much better. 
 

 

Edited Friday at 07:27 PM by Zestyg

[Motorpsychology]

On 10/1/2026 at 12:13 PM, morgan20 said:

 

The product itself is quite compelling actually. One of the automotive rags nominated it for "EV of the Year 2026" or somethin' like that:

 

 

The '27 Bolt's comprehensive glow-up couldn't come at a better time. America doesn't need another hyper-powered, hyper-expensive EV. This Chevy does something no other EV in our market has before: It democratizes modern battery-electric powertrain technology at a sub-$30K price while also offering the core creature comforts modern consumers expect. The fact that Chevy pins a $28,995 price to an EV with a spacious and versatile cabin, solid real-world driving range, spirited dynamics, and a general ease of use makes the '27 Bolt the right EV for right now.

 

The big shots at GM are either deliberately constraining Bolt production, or are utterly incompetent when it comes to marketing this product. Or maybe both.

 

If they would put Silverado-level marketing effort into it, it probably would've hit their 150K mark. Has anyone here seen any info or advertising for the Bolt in the mainstream press? "...Let's bring back the Bolt with a 10-figure budget, not tell anyone about it, and sell a buck fifty of 'em..." Good luck.

[twintornados]

It would sell well in Europe....just got back from an Italian vacation tour and the size of the cars there was amazing - tiny does not even come close to describing it. Saw a few Ford Kuga's (Escape) and they were huge in comparison to the daily fare in Italy....the drivers? And American Daredevils would be scared to drive there....

[morgan20]

14 hours ago, Motorpsychology said:

If they would put Silverado-level marketing effort into it, it probably would've hit their 150K mark. Has anyone here seen any info or advertising for the Bolt in the mainstream press? "...Let's bring back the Bolt with a 10-figure budget, not tell anyone about it, and sell a buck fifty of 'em..." Good luck.

 

Yea, 150k annual sales or more would be easily attainable for '27 Bolt IF the marketing big shots at GM put forth the effort this product deserves. But that's apparently too much to ask of them. Not only is there insufficient advertising for the '27 Bolt in the mainstream press, the veep at Chevy went out his way to mention that it's only in production for a year or so before being discontinued again. That doesn't exactly promote confidence in the product. Prospective customers are probably thinking "what the heck is goin' on at Chevy?" and shopping the competition.

 

"After production ended, we heard our customer’s feedback and their love for this product. So the Bolt is coming back—by popular demand and better than ever—for a limited time. This is a celebration of what Bolt means to our customers and to Chevrolet. It’s your chance to own a popular EV that’s affordable. So, if you’ve been waiting, this is the moment. Don’t miss it!"

[Sherminator98]

8 hours ago, morgan20 said:

 

Yea, 150k annual sales or more would be easily attainable for '27 Bolt IF the marketing big shots at GM put forth the effort this product deserves. But that's apparently too much to ask of them. Not only is there insufficient advertising for the '27 Bolt in the mainstream press, the veep at Chevy went out his way to mention that it's only in production for a year or so before being discontinued again. That doesn't exactly promote confidence in the product. Prospective customers are probably thinking "what the heck is goin' on at Chevy?" and shopping the competition.

 

"After production ended, we heard our customer’s feedback and their love for this product. So the Bolt is coming back—by popular demand and better than ever—for a limited time. This is a celebration of what Bolt means to our customers and to Chevrolet. It’s your chance to own a popular EV that’s affordable. So, if you’ve been waiting, this is the moment. Don’t miss it!"

 

I dunno, given my habits with TV and the Internet, I barely see any major car sale pushes, even though I'm sure my cookies and other things show I'm interested in cars. 

 

I just seems like EV sales have fallen off a cliff in the past couple of months, since I'm guessing the general public is in the middle of tighting their belts due to the rising costs of just about everything and income increases not keeping pace. 

 

Has GM even said anything about coming out with a follow up/replacement for the Bolt? 

[fordmantpw]

1 hour ago, Sherminator98 said:

 

I dunno, given my habits with TV and the Internet, I barely see any major car sale pushes, even though I'm sure my cookies and other things show I'm interested in cars. 

 

I just seems like EV sales have fallen off a cliff in the past couple of months, since I'm guessing the general public is in the middle of tighting their belts due to the rising costs of just about everything and income increases not keeping pace. 

 

Has GM even said anything about coming out with a follow up/replacement for the Bolt? 

 

With fuel prices through the roof, you'd think EV sales would be increasing, not declining.

[rmc523]

10 hours ago, morgan20 said:

 

Yea, 150k annual sales or more would be easily attainable for '27 Bolt IF the marketing big shots at GM put forth the effort this product deserves. But that's apparently too much to ask of them. Not only is there insufficient advertising for the '27 Bolt in the mainstream press, the veep at Chevy went out his way to mention that it's only in production for a year or so before being discontinued again. That doesn't exactly promote confidence in the product. Prospective customers are probably thinking "what the heck is goin' on at Chevy?" and shopping the competition.

 

"After production ended, we heard our customer’s feedback and their love for this product. So the Bolt is coming back—by popular demand and better than ever—for a limited time. This is a celebration of what Bolt means to our customers and to Chevrolet. It’s your chance to own a popular EV that’s affordable. So, if you’ve been waiting, this is the moment. Don’t miss it!"

 

GM isn't going to do an expensive marketing push on a vehicle they're only bringing back for a few months/a year....

 

53 minutes ago, fordmantpw said:

 

With fuel prices through the roof, you'd think EV sales would be increasing, not declining.

 

 

Looking at YOY data for EV sales is pointless, as there was a huge pull ahead last year with the incentives sunsetting.

 

We'd have to look at sales over the course of the year to see if they've trended up as gas prices have risen for a more accurate picture.

 

Sales compared from 2026 to 2027 will be a more normal picture like usual sales numbers.

[fordmantpw]

1 hour ago, rmc523 said:

Looking at YOY data for EV sales is pointless, as there was a huge pull ahead last year with the incentives sunsetting.

 

We'd have to look at sales over the course of the year to see if they've trended up as gas prices have risen for a more accurate picture.

 

Sales compared from 2026 to 2027 will be a more normal picture like usual sales numbers.

 

Yeah, that's what I was referring to, sales over the course of the year.

[Texasota]

2 hours ago, fordmantpw said:

With fuel prices through the roof, you'd think EV sales would be increasing, not declining.

I think buyers are reacting to the fuel prices, but they are embracing hybrids more than BEVs.
 

I rented a Hyundai Elantra hybrid a few days ago and didn’t like it but the MPGs were in the 50-60 range for our 300 mile trip. If you can get that kind of fuel economy with a hybrid why bother with the inconvenience of a BEV?

Edited Monday at 03:49 PM by Texasota

[Sherminator98]

3 hours ago, Texasota said:

I rented a Hyundai Elantra hybrid a few days ago and didn’t like it but the MPGs were in the 50-60 range for our 300 mile trip. If you can get that kind of fuel economy with a hybrid why bother with the inconvenience of a BEV?

 

Meh maybe because they are slightly underpowered? I had a Hybrid Elantra when I went to CA awhile ago and had an old Fusion Hybrid and never felt like they had enough guts to them. At least with an EV you get a ton of torque that makes them "feel" fast. 

 

Just as an example, you can recharge a 60 kwh battery at 50% for under $6 at .19 kwh cost. At how much gas costs these days, well one tank of gas would go a long way to recharging an EV (if its reasonably easy to do so for you) 

[Texasota]

2 hours ago, Sherminator98 said:

 

Meh maybe because they are slightly underpowered? I had a Hybrid Elantra when I went to CA awhile ago and had an old Fusion Hybrid and never felt like they had enough guts to them. At least with an EV you get a ton of torque that makes them "feel" fast. 

 

Just as an example, you can recharge a 60 kwh battery at 50% for under $6 at .19 kwh cost. At how much gas costs these days, well one tank of gas would go a long way to recharging an EV (if its reasonably easy to do so for you) 

 

When on the road (not charging at home) the gasoline cost for my 300 miles in the Elantra was about $22.90 (at current inflated gas prices).  For a Tesla Model 3 the charging cost at a Tesla charging station for my 300 miles would be about $13.77. On my road trip I would happily fork over the additional $9.13 for the convenience and time saving. Driving in my home town and charging in my garage the Model 3 easily wins. In my Escape PHEV I get the advantages of both.

 

Charging cost by model (US average, home charging)

Model	Efficiency	Per mile	Per 100 miles	Full charge (approx.)	Per month (1,000 mi)
Model 3	250 Wh/mi	4.6¢	$4.59	$11–$14	$46
Model Y	280 Wh/mi	5.1¢	$5.14	$12–$15	$51
Model S	300 Wh/mi	5.5¢	$5.50	$18	$55
Model X	340 Wh/mi	6.2¢	$6.24	$18	$62
Cybertruck	470 Wh/mi	8.6¢	$8.62	$23	$86