After years of speculation, GM is killing the Chevrolet Sonic in the United States.
The sedan and hatchback are built at Orion Assembly in Michigan, but production will come to an end this October.
Spokesperson Megan Soule confirmed to the news to CNBC and said the elimination of the Sonic will allow the company to build the Bolt EUV at the plant. The facility also makes the standard Bolt, so building the two models together makes a lot of sense.
Also Read: Buick Velite 7 Electric SUV Previewed In China, Could Herald America’s Chevy Bolt EUV
Of course, killing the Sonic was a no-brainer “due to declining demand.” U.S. sales peaked at 93,518 units in 2014 and have been falling ever since. Last year, the company only sold 13,971 Sonics and 2020 was shaping up to be even worse as 6,452 units had been delivered at the end of the second quarter.
The decision to build the Sonic in the United States had also been questioned as it’s an affordable vehicle that starts at $16,720. Given the high labor costs in America, it’s believed the Sonic wasn’t very profitable.
Chevrolet Bolt EUV
As for the Bolt EUV, it’s an electric crossover that was officially announced at GM’s EV day event. The model will closely resemble the Buick Velite 7 that was introduced in China and be launched in the summer of 2021 as a 2022 model.
Chevrolet hasn’t said much about it, but it will become the first non-Cadillac vehicle to offer the Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system.
Speaking of the Bolt, Chevrolet is working on a “new version” of the electric hatchback and it’s slated to be introduced late this year. It will be a 2022 model and is expected to feature a number of styling changes inside and out.
