GM expects record year of Chevy Bolt EV sales following fire recall

After several Chevrolet Bolt vehicles caught fire and caused a high-profile recall, General GM expects sales of its electric Bolt models to rebound.

We see record numbers of sales and production for 22 and we see 23 being bigger than 22. Steve Majoros, vice president of Chevrolet marketing, told media Wednesday that they are bullish on both EV and EUV.

The Bolt EV and a larger version of it were put back into production this week. Since August, when the Bolt was recalled, production of the vehicles at the Michigan plant has largely been down.

Two rare manufacturing defects in the battery cells of the vehicle's battery pack could cause a fire, which led to the recall. A spokesman for GM said that the company is aware of 19 fires related to the problem.

The fires and recall were a major blow to the automaker in terms of EV sales and its reputation, despite the fact that the battery supplier, anLG company, was responsible for the issues.

The Vermont State Police released this photo of the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV that caught fire on July 1, 2021 in the driveway of state Rep. Timothy Briglin, a Democrat.

Majoros said that a new national television campaign for the Bolt models would be launched Thursday. The ads don't mention the recalls or fires.

The advertising will have a big presence during the opening day games of Major League Baseball.

Majoros said the record Bolt sales expectations are largely due to increased interest overall in EV, not connected to record gas prices nationally this year.

The Bolt EUV went on sale last year before all the vehicles were recalled. The Bolt EV sold more than 23,000 units last year, but the Bolt nameplates sold more than 25,000 units.