General Motors (GM) has recently announced a significant investment in the amount of $390 million in Kansas for the production of the next generation of the Chevy Bolt EV. This decision comes as the company has also revealed its plans to cease production of the Chevy Malibu, a long-standing gas-powered sedan in the United States. The Chevy Malibu has been in production since the 1960s, but GM has made the strategic decision to shift its focus towards crossover vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and electric vehicles (EVs). The plan is to conclude the production of the Chevy Malibu by November 2024 and temporarily halt the production of the Cadillac XT4 at the Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City until January 2025.
Moreover, GM intends to streamline its operations by producing the new Chevy Bolt EV and Cadillac XT4 on the same assembly line at the Fairfax Assembly Plant. GM is not solely investing in Kansas for EV production, as the company has also begun preparing the site for the construction of a battery plant. This plant is set to play a crucial role in the production of Ultium batteries. Initially, GM had partnered with LG for the battery plant, but this collaboration fell through, leading to a new partnership with Samsung SDI.
Furthermore, GM and CATL are currently in discussions about the potential establishment of a joint battery factory in North America.