According to foreign media reports, GM delivered only 26 pure electric vehicles in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2021, down almost 100 percent from a year earlier, including 25 Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV, and one GMC Hummer electric pickup truck.
GM's electric vehicle sales in the fourth quarter of last year were the lowest since the Chevrolet Volt was launched in December 2010, when the company delivered 326 electric vehicles. The main reason GM's electric car sales are so low is that the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV have been temporarily suspended due to a massive battery recall.
The recent shutdown of the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV was extended to the end of January and then to the end of February. New batteries will be given priority for recalled vehicles, so battery shortages could seriously affect Bolt EV and Bolt EUV production in 2022.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said, "GM's electric car sales still have room for growth."
Despite the difficulties, 2021 was the best year for Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV sales, with sales of 24828 vehicles, up 19.6% from a year earlier and up from 23297 in 2017, when GM still received a $7500 tax credit for electric vehicles.
If there were no battery defects, sales of the new Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV might be higher in 2021. "Bolt EV sales have been stagnant since September 2021." Since its launch, Bolt EV and Bolt EUV have sold a total of 103895 vehicles in the United States.
In 2022, GM will focus on developing electric vehicles based on the new Ultium electric platform, including GMC Hummer electric pickup trucks, Hummer electric SUV, Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Silverado electric vehicles, GMC Sierra electric vehicles and Brightdrop commercial vehicles. Most of these electric cars will be launched at the end of 2022 or early 2023, after which GM will launch more electric models.
Steve Carlisle, Executive Vice President and President of General Motors North America, said, "in 2022, we plan to increase our sales and market share by leveraging a strong economy and an expected improved supply of semiconductors. We will also further strengthen our leadership in the truck industry and strive for leadership in electric vehicles in North America through the introduction of GMC Hummer Electric vehicles, Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Silverado Electric vehicles and GMC Sierra Electric vehicles. "
Overall, the fourth quarter of 2021 was challenging for GM, which delivered 440745 vehicles in the US, down 42.9 per cent from a year earlier. GM delivered 2218228 vehicles in the US in 2021, down 12.9 per cent from a year earlier. Sales figures for GM's Chevrolet brand look equally bad, with 288647 vehicles in the fourth quarter, down 44.7 per cent from a year earlier, and 1437677 in 2021, down 17.4 per cent from a year earlier.
