Chevy, GMC aim for EV/ICE sweet spot

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Chevrolet and GMC have not released a timeline for going all-electric, though both brands will have a growing roster of electric vehicles in the coming years.

To date, GMC has released the Hummer EV pickup and SUV, while Chevy has started production on a fleet version of the Silverado EV full-size pickup. Later this year, electric versions of the Chevy Equinox and Blazer crossovers are expected to go into production, while the GMC Sierra EV full-size pickup follows in early 2024.

From there, both General Motors brands are expected to bring additional EVs in multiple segments to market, including full-size SUVs and possibly even sports cars.

At the same time, Chevy and GMC are investing in next-generation versions of their most popular — and profitable — gasoline-powered models. In June, GM committed more than $2.3 billion toward plants in three states and Ontario that build full-size pickups and SUVs, signaling that they will be on sale for years to come.

“From now until 2030, for sure you’re going to need [internal combustion engine] products for mainstream customers,” said Stephanie Brinley, associate director of AutoIntelligence for S&P Global Mobility.

“Chevrolet and GMC are volume brands. GMC gets a little bit more [of] a price premium, but they play with mainstream consumers,” she said.

“You could cut off [internal combustion] earlier, but you’re just going to hurt volume, and you have to be really careful managing that. They’re doing the right things for those brands.”

Hummer EV pickup: A freshening of the GMC Hummer EV pickup is possible in 2026.

Silverado EV: Production of the fleet-oriented Chevy Silverado EV 4WT has begun at GM’s Factory Zero plant in Detroit. The 4WT provides an estimated 450-mile range and starts at $79,800 including shipping. A second fleet version, the $74,800 3WT, will follow this year with a GM-estimated range of 350 miles. A fully loaded retail trim level, the $106,895 RST First Edition, is scheduled to arrive this fall with a GM-estimated 400-mile range. Additional trim levels, including an entry-level version, will follow next year.

Sierra EV: An electric version of GMC’s Sierra full-size pickup will go on sale in the first half of 2024. It will launch with the $107,000 Denali Edition 1, with a range of 400 miles. Entry-level Elevation and off-road AT4 trim levels will follow in 2025.

Express/Savana EV: GM may build electric versions of the Chevy Express and GMC Savana full-size commercial vans in 2026, though forecasters say they also could be replaced with electric delivery vans from GM’s BrightDrop subsidiary.

Hummer EV SUV: Production of the GMC Hummer EV SUV began this year. A freshening is possible in 2027.

Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon/Yukon XL EV: Chevy and GMC could bring electric versions of their full-size SUVs to market around 2026.

Blazer EV: Production of an electric counterpart to the Chevy Blazer midsize crossover is expected to start in the second half of this year at GM’s Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico. Sales could begin before the end of 2023.

Equinox EV: The electric version of the Chevy Equinox compact crossover is going into production at the Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico, with deliveries expected to begin before the end of the year.

Corvette EV: A fully electric Corvette could debut in 2026 or 2027. Exact timing is unclear.

Bolt EUV/EV: Chevrolet will end production of the Bolt EUV and EV, built on GM’s previous battery architecture, at the end of the year. Orion Assembly in suburban Detroit, where the Bolt is manufactured, will be retooled to build Silverado and Sierra EVs.

Silverado/Sierra: Light-duty Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickups are expected to be redesigned in 2026 and on sale early in 2027, with heavy-duty versions following in 2027. GM in June committed to investing more than $1.8 billion at factories in Michigan, Indiana and Ontario that build the Silverado and Sierra for future pickup production.

Express/Savana: Production of the internal combustion-powered Chevy Express and GMC Savana full-size commercial vans is expected to end in 2026.

Colorado/Canyon: The Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon midsize pickups were redesigned for the 2023 model year. A freshening is possible by 2027.

Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon/Yukon XL: The Chevy Tahoe and Suburban and the GMC Yukon full-size SUVs are expected to be freshened in 2024 and could be redesigned in 2027. GM in June committed to spending more than $500 million to update the Arlington, Texas, plant where the vehicles are built for future gasoline-powered SUV production.

Traverse: Chevy last week revealed the redesigned Traverse large crossover at GM’s Lansing Delta Township plant in Michigan, where it’s built. The Traverse receives a more truck-like appearance, larger screens, additional safety features and its first-ever off-road trim level for the 2024 model year. It is expected to go on sale in early 2024.

Acadia: GMC will redesign the Acadia large crossover in the first half of 2024, when assembly will move from Spring Hill, Tenn., back to the Lansing Delta Township plant where it was initially built alongside the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave. The Acadia is expected to grow in size, similar to the Traverse and Enclave, after one generation as a smaller alternative to its siblings.

Blazer: Production of Chevy’s gasoline-powered midsize crossover is expected to end in 2025.

Equinox/Terrain: Chevy and GMC are preparing to redesign the compact crossovers next year, with the updated Equinox expected to reach dealerships sooner than the Terrain.

Trailblazer: Chevrolet’s South Korea-built subcompact crossover was freshened this year. A redesign is possible in 2026.

Trax: Chevy debuted the redesigned Trax subcompact crossover this year. It’s roughly 4 inches lower, 2 inches wider and 11 inches longer than the previous version. Timing for future updates is uncertain.

Corvette E-Ray: Chevy’s first hybrid Corvette, the E-Ray, begins production this year. Forecasters say the internal combustion-powered Corvette could be due for an update in 2028.

Camaro: Production of the current-generation Camaro is scheduled to end early next year. Chevy has not confirmed plans to replace the sports car but hinted that “this is not the end of Camaro’s story.” An electric replacement in 2027 is possible.

Malibu: Production of Chevy’s last remaining sedan is forecast to end in 2025.

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