[mmurphyto]

I ordered a Bolt back in December (am in Ontario) and it was built the week of February 6, 2017.

My dealership only knew that it was 'in transit' but when I called Chevrolet I found out that because of the demand, production on the Bolt has shifted to South Korea. My Bolt was indeed built but is now awaiting a transport ship to carry it overseas.

I haven't seen this publicized and was blindsided. When I found out my car was built back in early February, I gave my existing car to my sister figuring that mine would be here a few days or a week later. I've now been without a car for a month, because the dealer didn't have the right information.

Chevrolet has botched this rollout at nearly every juncture!

 

[Electro]

They shifted production to South Korea? That sounds like something every publication would be all over. And this information came from a Chevy corporate customer service rep?

 

[mmurphyto]

Yes it did. On Friday March 10 in the afternoon.

 

[Patronus]

I really do not think final production shifted to S Korea. However, if you look at your window sticker you will note that well over half of the parts in the Bolt EV are from S. Korea, shipped to the US for final assembly.

There could have been a delay or ramp-up glitch at some factory in S. Korea, but I don't think it was final assembly.

 

[VideoSteve]

bogus report

The hyperlinks in the first two posts lead to a marketer of aftermarket accessories. The GM Authority press release says the car is coming to Korea...via export from the Orion factory. (USA)

 

[EldRick]

My Bolt was built the week of Feb. 14th, here in the US.

 

[Sean Nelson]

My dealership only knew that it was 'in transit' but when I called Chevrolet I found out that because of the demand, production on the Bolt has shifted to South Korea.

Nope, simply not true. And I will not feed a potential troll by saying any more.

 

[mmurphyto]

I'm really not trying to troll anyone. I'm simply relaying what the Chevy rep told me on Friday. He didn't indicate that it was replacing the Orion plant, but said that my car was built South Korea and waiting (fully completed) for a ship to transport it to North America.

I was told that once it was on a ship that they would be able to give me an ETA.

I really wish this weren't true - but I'm still without a car and this is the only information I've been able to get from Chevrolet!

 

[bro1999]

I'm really not trying to troll anyone. I'm simply relaying what the Chevy rep told me on Friday. He didn't indicate that it was replacing the Orion plant, but said that my car was built South Korea and waiting (fully completed) for a ship to transport it to North America.

I was told that once it was on a ship that they would be able to give me an ETA.

I really wish this weren't true - but I'm still without a car and this is the only information I've been able to get from Chevrolet!

Final production of Bolts is completed in the Orion plant, not Korea. Bolts will EVENTUALLY be sold in Korea....being shipped from MI. Provide some hard evidence backing up your claims.

 

[devbolt]

If you have the VIN of the car, you can determine where it was built. Bolt's that have been built so far have a VIN that starts with 1G1 which means that it's a GM plant in America. If it was actually built in South Korea, the VIN would start with a KL1, KL2 or KLA.

All Bolt VINs should be starting with 1G1FX6

Update: Premier trim is 1G1FX6 and LT trim is 1G1FW6.

 

[stuartm]

Hmm, my VIN (to be delivered tomorrow or the next day) starts 1G1FW6 What is the difference between FX6 and FW6?

 

[wainair]

Sounds like you got the trainee customer service rep. This won't look good on their review...

 

[devbolt]

Hmm, my VIN (to be delivered tomorrow or the next day) starts 1G1FW6 What is the difference between FX6 and FW6?

Premier (FX6) versus LT (FW6).

I updated my post to clarify things.

 

[Cehjun]

this is the only information I've been able to get from Chevrolet!

Call 1-800-gm-drive at GM Canada, provide your order number (get it from dealer) and if possible the dealer's business activity code. Ask advisor to provide exact location of vehicle and reason(s) for delay. If necessary push to get the EV specialist (Dan, I think), might need to get Logistics to help, whatever it takes.

 

[mmurphyto]

Call 1-800-gm-drive at GM Canada, provide your order number (get it from dealer) and if possible the dealer's business activity code. Ask advisor to provide exact location of vehicle and reason(s) for delay. If necessary push to get the EV specialist (Dan, I think), might need to get Logistics to help, whatever it takes.

Thank you for the tip! That was the number I called, and provided them with my order number and the dealer number. I'll call back to ask for Dan tomorrow. I hope this has all been for naught, but want the community to know that I was simply passing along information that I received from Chevrolet in good faith.

Will update as I keep digging to the bottom of this...

 

[DaV8or]

IMO, it would be horrible if they did shift production to South Korea. It would totally take the shine off of this accomplishment. They might as well shift production to China at that point and really improve their profit margin. I know much of the car comes from Korea and that much of the design work was done there, but let's try GM, to keep at least some portion of America in there. A good part of the reason that Trump is in the White House now is, many, many people are sick and tired of seeing "Made in ... (foreign country)" on everything they buy. This is one feature of the Tesla that is very, very attractive.

I have to disclose that I did not vote for Trump because I despise the man, but I am sympathetic with some of the themes that got him elected.

 

[Sourdoughsteve]

When the car arrives, check the inside of the doorjamb on the driver door. Betcha you'll see the "Made in Michigan" sticker from the Lake Orion plant... Parts these days are sourced worldwide, but final assembly of the Bolt is going to be Orion for awhile. When GM upgraded the plant as part of the bailout, they provided for the eventual implementation of three shifts, so there is a lot of capacity left there before they would need to look overseas.

 

[eops]

Just make sure to hope and pray that automation picks up because that's what will help in securing production where we want it (America) and have it make financing sense.

Cost is a big one (as always).

 

[mmurphyto]

I called back this week and Dan from GM Canada cleared things up, that indeed whomever I had spoken to had misinformed me about my Bolt being stuck in Korea - thanks Dan!

I also gave him the call details so it could be tracked down and the customer service agent could be appropriately dealt with. Sorry for the confusion to have caused this week. I appreciate those who shared helpful comments and suggestions that helped get to the bottom of the issue.

 

[DaV8or]

I called back this week and Dan from GM Canada cleared things up, that indeed whomever I had spoken to had misinformed me about my Bolt being stuck in Korea - thanks Dan!

I also gave him the call details so it could be tracked down and the customer service agent could be appropriately dealt with. Sorry for the confusion to have caused this week. I appreciate those who shared helpful comments and suggestions that helped get to the bottom of the issue.

No worries, there is loads of misinformation out there about the Bolt. Some read that LG Chem makes the batteries and the motor and then they read that the Bolt was designed in the GM Korean studio and then assume the the Bolt is Korean designed and made with GM just putting their badge on it. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Detroit was steering this project with their hands in it from the get go. They did a great deal of engineering right here in America. The Bolt has been planned to be produced at Orion since the beginning. At this time in history, there is no reason to make them anywhere else.