Summary
GM’s Orion Assembly Plant delays electric trucks until mid-2026
Buick’s EV timeline is now uncertain
Cruise self-driving robotaxi will not use the Origin vehicle
GM struggling to meet the goal of producing one million EVs by 2025
Buick is the only GM brand in the U.S. without an all-electric model
Article
General Motors is facing delays in its plans to ramp up production of electric pickup trucks and introduce the first Buick EV in the U.S. The manufacturing of Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV pickup trucks at the Orion Assembly plant in Michigan has been postponed until mid-2026, with CEO Mary Barra citing slow demand and struggles to ramp up production capacity using Ultium battery tech as reasons for the delay. This marks the second delay for the repurposing of the Orion plant, which previously built the Chevy Bolt EV. GM had previously announced that scaled-up truck production would not happen until 2025, with the Orion plant remaining idle in the meantime.
Low-volume production of the Silverado EV is already underway at GM’s Factory Zero plant in Detroit, with 3,257 trucks delivered in the first half of 2024. Initial production of the Sierra EV is also expected to be sourced from Factory Zero. Buick, the only GM brand in the U.S. without an all-electric model, was scheduled to reveal its first EV for the U.S. later this year as part of the Electra series. The Buick Wildcat concept shown in 2022 served as inspiration for the upcoming EV, with the brand also offering dealer buyouts in anticipation of an EV remake.
In addition to delays in the production of electric trucks and the introduction of the Buick EV, GM’s Cruise self-driving technology subsidiary announced that it would no longer use the Origin purpose-built vehicle. The project had been on hold for months following various issues last year. Instead, Cruise will use the next-generation Bolt EV for its robotaxi fleet, which utilizes the same Ultium battery tech as GM’s other EVs. This change marks a shift in direction for Cruise as it moves away from the unique design of the Origin vehicle.
GM’s struggles with meeting production goals for EVs highlight the challenges faced by automakers in transitioning to electric vehicles. The delays at the Orion Assembly plant and with the Cruise self-driving project underscore the complexities of shifting to an electric future. Despite these setbacks, GM remains committed to its electric vehicle plans and aims to eventually have production capacity for one million EVs, albeit later than originally anticipated. The evolving landscape of electric vehicles and autonomous technology will continue to shape the future of the automotive industry, with GM striving to adapt and innovate in this rapidly changing environment.
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