Production shift away from electric vehicles
General Motors will end production of its Chevrolet Bolt EV at the Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas, replacing the electric vehicle with gas-powered models as part of a broader restructuring of its North American manufacturing footprint.
The company confirmed to TechCrunch that production of the 2027 Chevy Bolt EV will conclude in about 18 months, shortly after the model arrives in dealerships. Priced at $29,990, the Bolt has been one of the most affordable electric vehicles available to U.S. consumers.
Gas-powered vehicles move into Fairfax plant
As Bolt EV production winds down, GM will transition the Kansas facility to internal combustion vehicles, while also relocating production currently based outside the United States.
The automaker said the next-generation Buick Envision, now built in China, will move to the Fairfax plant beginning in 2028. In addition, production of the gas-powered Chevrolet Equinox, currently manufactured in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, will shift to Kansas in mid-2027.
The changes represent a significant pivot as GM reassesses demand for electric vehicles and prioritizes domestic production.
Bolt EV always intended as limited-run model
GM indicated the short production timeline for the Bolt EV was intentional.
“When we revealed Bolt in October, we said — and it was widely reported — that it would be a limited run model,” a GM spokesperson said in a statement to TechCrunch. “We had also previously announced the gas-powered Equinox would be coming to Fairfax in mid-2027 after Bolt production ramps down.”
The spokesperson added that the decision to relocate the Buick Envision aligns with previously disclosed manufacturing plans.
EV market challenges influence automaker decisions
The move comes as the electric vehicle industry faces slowing growth, higher financing costs, infrastructure challenges, and increased competition. While GM continues to invest in EV technology, the company — like several other automakers — has adjusted timelines and production volumes to reflect changing market conditions.
The Fairfax plant transition underscores how legacy automakers are balancing long-term electrification goals with the continued profitability of gas-powered vehicles.
SOURCE: TechCrunch
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