Back to electric for General Motors? The American car concern is clearly changing its plans…

Americans used to measure 100% electricity

If in Europe the electric wave has been actively developing since 2020, then in the United States it is in its infancy. While certain models were already on sale on the continent at the time (notably the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Hyundai Kona Electric), the leap towards this technology really took place in 2022, when Ford unveiled its 100% electric pickup truck, the F-150 Lightning, in a big way! There you have it, the race was on among the Big Three (Ford, GM, Chrysler). Since then, the Chrysler group has responded with its own pickup truck RAM 1500 REVand on the horizon is the electric SUV Jeep Wagoneer S (the electric Avenger, which we have in Europe, is not offered there).
But above all, General Motors has risen to the challenge, and this applies to most of its brands. This is not the first success of the group: its Chevrolet brand launched the Volt (ancestor of the Bolt) in 2011, and even the interesting EV1 in the 90s! currently Chevrolet markets its Silverado, Equinox and Blazer under the EV sauce, GMC its Hummer, Cadillac its Celestiq, Lyriq and Escalade iQ. Let’s not mention Buick, which is dying in the US market, and whose new electric products are reserved for China…

Despite the lead, General Motors wants to be careful

But like most of its competitors, General Motors is beginning to express doubts about this forced (and rapid) march up to 100% electric. Presenting results for the last quarter of 2023 a few days ago, the American group suggested a slowdown in demand at the end of last year. The excitement of American consumers about this technology, lack of charging infrastructure, and the sometimes high prices of these models compared to their thermal equivalent partially explain this caution. At the same time, dealers have been pressing GM to reintroduce hybrid models, for which demand remains strong, but the offer is less extensive than before…
The group leader, Mary Barra, confirmed during this presentation that GM had listened to her requests and is preparing to re-introduce plug-in hybrid models (“plug-in” or “PHEV”) on the continent. ” General Motors is still committed to reducing the tailpipe emissions of its passenger cars by 2035. But until then, deploying plug-in technology in strategic segments will helpget some of the environmental benefits of electric cars, and the country continues to build its charging infrastructure. “. Barra did not specify which models are in question, or the future calendar…

Despite these announcements, GM continues to expand its thermal portfolio. In 2023, the group invested a billion dollars in development of new V8 and V6 unitsand this year the third generation will appear Chevrolet Traverseand the fourth generation Chevrolet Equinoxstill offered with petrol engines…

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