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- In spite of its discontinuation, the Chevy Bolt EV has exceeded sales of the Blazer EV in the first half of 2024
- Introduced last year, the Blazer EV seems to have overcome initial rollout challenges
- GM assures that upon its return in 2026, the Bolt EV will be the most budget-friendly electric vehicle
Although the production of the Chevrolet Bolt EV has ceased, it has still outsold the Chevy Blazer EV in the initial half of this year, as per the latest financial results and sales update from General Motors.
In the first two quarters of the year, GM delivered 8,414 units of the Bolt EV and its crossbreed Bolt EUV model, compared to 7,234 Blazer EV deliveries. However, in the second quarter alone, the deliveries of the Blazer EV surpassed those of the Bolt EV/EUV, with 6,634 units and 1,374 units, respectively.
2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV RS
The difference in sales reflects the diminishing deliveries of Bolt EV/EUV since production ceased at the end of 2023, while production of the Blazer EV has escalated. However, the Blazer EV has not yet surpassed the discontinued Bolt EV in year-to-date sales, indicating the gradual progress in its production increase.
Technically, GM commenced deliveries of the Blazer EV last July, and progress has been slow since then. Challenges in ramping up its Ultium battery cells hindered EV deliveries in 2023. GM reported 21,930 EV deliveries in Q2, a 34% increase from Q1 and 40% higher year-over-year, indicating a positive turnaround. However, their previous targets of delivering 400,000 EVs by 2023—and later in the first half of 2024—have clearly fallen short.
2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV RS
In March, GM reduced prices of the Blazer EV; however, this action has not significantly boosted sales beyond addressing past software issues and backlogs that prompted a stoppage of sales late last year. Notwithstanding the low sales, a substantial portion of buyers comprises of “conquest” customers who have migrated from other brands. GM asserts that 40% of Blazer EV customers are new, transitioning from rival brands such as Jeep, Ford, Hyundai, and Kia.
The absence of the Bolt EV will only be for one model year. CEO Mary Barra has indicated that the 2026 Bolt EV will be the most economical U.S. EV and will transition to an LFP battery chemistry to facilitate this cost-effectiveness.
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