Is THIS The End For General Motors? GM Planning On 20 All-new EVs

When it comes to high volume automakers, we just don't see it with General Motors. Sure, the pick-up truck line moves as does one or two sport-utility vehicles.

But what's the nameplate that will propel this auto builder forward? As of right now, it's not clear what that will be.

That's because it seems as though General Motors doesn't have its finger on the pulse of today's consumer. Where is its Honda Accord fighter or Toyota RAV4 competitor?

Although the conglomerate is well aware of the electric vehicle revolution, especially considering it spent $1 billion in the development of the first-gen Volt, it has no where near the interest of say the Tesla Model 3. Even the Bolt, which is priced more aggressively, doesn't seem to be top of mind for EV buyers.

So when I hear GM is preparing to bombard the EV market with up to 20 vehicles I cannot help but say "Oh, boy." While I understand EVs are where the industry moving, could this be a deathly situation that GM puts itself in if consumer interest is not there?

What say you, Spies?

DETROIT—General Motors is the latest car company to unveil plans for an emissions-free future. On Monday morning, the US' largest automaker announced that the next 18 months will see two new electric vehicles join the Bolt EV in showrooms, and 18 more are due by 2023. "GM believes in an all-electric future and a world free of automotive emissions," said Mark Reuss, GM's executive VP for product development, purchasing, and supply chain. "When the Bolt EV was announced at CES it was described as a platform, and this is the next step."

The announcement took place at GM's Design Dome, site of many a new product reveal. As you'll see from the photo above, there were a number of cars hidden by dust sheets. We were given a sneak peek at three of these—a conventional-looking midsize crossover and two more futuristic vehicles, including something that looked like a driverless pod—but sadly photography was not allowed, and no one took the wraps off what looked like either a Corvette or Camaro variant...

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TomM - 10/3/2017 7:27:45 AM

+1 Boost

Sorry - but WHY are you so surprised about GM regarding electric vehicles - they pioneered them here. I note the article ALSO included Fuel CEll vehicles - Missing from your headline

The Bolt has problems - it is a car - which are not selling - it is a Hatchback - which do not sell well in the USA - and it is really weird looking - and Gm has proven in the past - that even the best of cars need good styling to sell in great numbers. However - the Platform will likely spawn a number of cars - from the different divisions - and the Buick at least - is likely to look like a real car - instead of a Transformer Toy.WHen they make a real - reasonable looking Crossover type - it will sell because there is no competition in that market at the low end.

But YOU are correct - the consumer interest is NOT there - and the idea that it will take more than 25-30% of the market in the next 20 years simply ignores reality.

WE do not have the electricity generation capacity in the NorthEast and West - to actually power all of these vehicles - we already have Brown Outs in the summer without them. IT can take 20 years to get all the approvals to build a new generation plant as well. Trump is also playing with the NAFTA agreement -noting that we get 10-15% of the electric we use in the Northeast from Canada - and there are plans to mothball at least three Nuclear power plants that I know of - possibly more. With great demand and low supply - the cost of electricity is going to go up - and up - making EV's less of an answer. At the same time - EV infrastructure is hard to come up with in inner cities and real urban areas.
In the inner cities - most do not have a dedicated parking area for their own cars - so having their own hook ups may not be possible - and there is no guarantee that public ones will be available when you need them. (There would need to be Tens of THOUSANDS of them too). In urban areas - range issues and the inability to afford many electric vehicles - means the conversion will take more time.

But - I would expect that GM already knows this - and that they are likely planning a couple - maybe three platforms - with different styling for the divisions -not an all out assault.

As far as the Honda and the Rav4 - GM has a new Equinox (when they settle the Canada strike) and the Malibu/Impala combination - The Impala was well received by the media - and the Malibu was a great step forward from the one before it. THAT - plus GMs huge number of dealers - and their Marketing - will keep them in the plus for a while - remembering that it is the CAMRY that they must compete with - and it still looks like ****.

MDarringer - 10/3/2017 8:16:36 AM

+3 Boost

What a ridiculously worded post.

Tiberius1701A - 10/3/2017 9:08:42 AM

0 Boost

"The Bolt has problems - it is a car - which are not selling - it is a Hatchback - which do not sell well in the USA - and it is really weird looking"
Seriously??? You obviously do not see the total styling disaster known as Prius. Which is a car, hatchback and weird looking all rolled into one.

HenryN - 10/3/2017 10:56:51 AM

+2 Boost

Sounds like Elon got his hands under Barra's skirt and made her tickle. GM getting on with Musk's master plan toward sustainable transportation. Who would've thought ?

vdiv - 10/3/2017 11:24:14 AM

+1 Boost

Dude, that's nasty. Have some respect!

How much is Elon and how much is China and how serious GM is to do plugins is not clear. The BoltEV is really an outsourced to LG car as GM has still not truly invested in making EV. They are still BSing about hydrogen and that makes the whole announcement rather suspicious. They have done this before and will fight tooth and nail to keep the ICE status quo.

HenryN - 10/3/2017 11:43:27 AM

+1 Boost

Sorry I was out of line - but ...

If GM were for real with their EV plans, I wouldn't be this nasty. And with the ignition scandal unresolved, I will continue to be hostile toward GM.

MDarringer - 10/3/2017 9:22:54 PM

+1 Boost

@HenryN I have new respect for you.

Truthy - 10/3/2017 2:27:21 PM

+1 Boost

What a stupid post. GM made record profits in the past year and look at the article above, sales are up 12 percent this month. GM brands are doing great in China, which I suspect is a reason for the EV message. But to ask, "is this the end for GM?" is ridiculous.
This blog always craps on GM but loves Lexus, BMW and Tesla.

MrEE - 10/4/2017 7:00:10 PM

+1 Boost

GM and now Ford are making the assumption that they can tap into Tesla's success. They don't realize the demand for Model 3 is the sum of the innovative design, the charger network, purchase experience, and brand. Proof is the Volt, Bolt, Leaf and other EV model sales verses the Model 3 backlog.