Bolt Platform to Spawn New Models

I don't put a lot of stock in those statements by CEO Barra. It's just words to pump up the brand and build a little excitement. It's much like when Elon Musk claims that Tesla will build a car for everyone eventually. Not likely to happen.

Having said that and based on past GM uses of platforms and model cycles, I can see an all wheel drive Bolt in the future and along with that, a CUV type vehicle as well as those seem very popular for some reason. I can also see the SS version of the Bolt soon as that would be easy and inexpensive for them to do. Look for something like that around the time of the Model 3 really gets moving.

The platform is just too small for many body types. A four door sedan with a tiny notch back trunk could happen and those are popular with many, but a pick up truck, no way. A two seat roadster could be done, or even a two door, four seat coupe, or convertible would be possible, but the market is small for these types so I doubt it. By and large, Americans like their cars to be practical and boring. Possibly a small commercial van like a Transit Connect, but again the market is small.

If the Bolt is really popular and there is a sudden change in American's attitude towards EVs seeing greater demand, I can see them offering Buick and GMC versions of the Bolt and it's likely CUV follow on as well.

We have to remember that the Bolt is a low volume, niche vehicle for GM. It is a Halo vehicle for the Chevrolet brand. It makes the brand look good and draws people to the dealership where they then can sell more of their other vehicles.

GM put a lot of money into the Bolt and now they are going to want to amortize those expenses over time, not pour a bunch more money in. I wouldn't expect to see any new models, or even refresh until at least year five. We can expect a few different colors, new options and features like ACC and other semi-autonomous features. Maybe some different wheels. I also think we'll see greater range in the near future and perhaps a price decrease on the base models.

When the next model comes, it will almost certainly be a CUV type vehicle with available AWD. That has become America's choice for the family car and the Bolt will follow that trend. The basic Bolt design as we know it now will likely stay exactly as it is now for about five years and then we'll see a refresh on the same basic design that will last for the next five years.

Of course, this could change if for some miraculous reason we see steady strong sales for the Bolt with an awakening of public demand for EVs. If BEVs look to be a burgeoning new market in the US, I'm sure GM will respond with more product. I personally don't think we're there yet.