Amid ongoing pressure to shift away from imports, one of America’s largest automakers is taking a temporary detour. While President Donald Trump has been pushing US companies to rely less on foreign suppliers, General Motors is planning to import battery packs from Chinese manufacturer CATL.

The company says this decision is short-term, part of a broader strategy to eventually build its own battery packs domestically.

Read: GM’s EV Dream Plant Is Now A Gas Powerhouse In The Making

The move was initially reported by The Wall Street Journal, and later confirmed by the carmaker. CATL will supply GM with lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for the next-generation Bolt, which is expected to enter production later this year before arriving in dealerships in 2026.

GM says it plans to rely on CATL’s battery packs for around two years. After that, it expects its partnership with LG Energy Solution to support domestic production of more affordable battery systems.

“For several years, other U.S. automakers have depended on foreign suppliers for LFP battery sourcing and licensing,” a company spokesman confirmed. “To stay competitive, GM will temporarily source these packs from similar suppliers to power our most affordable EV model.”

2027 Chevrolet Bolt teasers

The Cost of Going Global

Of the 13 electric vehicles GM currently sells in the U.S., twelve are equipped with battery packs made domestically. The only exception is the Cadillac Celestiq, which uses a foreign-sourced pack.

By importing battery packs from China, GM will have to deal with duties of approximately 80 percent, according to Nunzio De Filippies from CargoTrans, a major logistics management firm. However, the automaker knows it needs to cut costs with its entry-level EV, and if it has to use Chinese batteries, then that’s what it’ll do.

Limited details are known about the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt, but GM has said it’ll cost slightly more than the old model, which started at $28,795 in 2023. It will be built at GM’s Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas.

Following months of rumors, General Motors and Hyundai have officially announced plans for five co-developed vehicles. However, many of them are destined for Central and South America.

The companies were tight-lipped on specifics, but confirm plans for a compact car, a compact crossover, and a compact truck. There will also be a mid-size pickup, whose development will be led by GM. Hyundai will take the lead for the remaining vehicles and all of them will have the “flexibility to use either internal combustion or hybrid propulsion systems.”

More: GM And Hyundai Want To Make Cars Together, Sign Agreement To Explore Opportunities

The only model for North America is an electric commercial van. Rumors have suggested GM could get a version of the Hyundai ST1 or Kia PV5 to serve as a successor to the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana.

If everything goes according to plan, the companies could sell more than 800,000 co-developed vehicles annually. The automakers added that while the vehicles will have a lot in common, each version will have “unique interiors and exteriors consistent with their respective brands.”

Design and development is already underway, and models built for Central and South America will be launched in 2028. The commercial van could arrive as early as 2028 and will be built in America.

Aside from new models, the companies are planning “joint sourcing initiatives in North and South America for materials, transport, and logistics.” They’re also eyeing other areas of collaboration including on raw materials, components, low-carbon emissions steel, and “complex systems.”

Hyundai CEO José Muñoz said the “strategic collaboration with GM will help us continue to deliver value and choice to our customers across multiple vehicle segments and markets. Our combined scale in North and South America helps us to more efficiently provide our customers more of what they want – beautifully designed, high-quality, safety focused vehicles with technology they appreciate.”

Those sentiments were echoed by GM senior vice president Shilpan Amin, who said “By partnering together, GM and Hyundai will bring more choice to our customers faster, and at lower cost. These first co-developed vehicles clearly demonstrate how GM and Hyundai will leverage our complementary strengths and combined scale.”

In a glorified blog post, Amin said the commercial van will be a “smaller sibling” to the Chevrolet BrightDrop EVs. He added the partnership makes a lot of sense as the companies can reduce costs, streamline manufacturing, and launch new vehicles faster by teaming up.

Amin went on to say the collaboration will enable GM to broaden their lineup. This is a not so subtle hint that going alone on an electric commercial van wouldn’t make much sense, especially after BrightDrop’s dismal failure.

Of course, GM is no stranger to van collaborations as the company used to offer the Chevrolet City Express. It was a rebadged Nissan NV200, which saw lackluster demand and was discontinued in 2018.

The sands of the automotive industry are always shifting, but 2025 has been on another level. The Trump administration’s policies, flip-flopping on tariffs, and removal of regulatory hurdles are changing the landscape incredibly fast. One byproduct is the expectation that big SUVs and trucks will get a new lease on life. Automakers couldn’t be more excited about that.

Specifically, the CEOs of the ‘Big Three’ in America are clearly fans of what they see coming. Trump’s EPA has removed penalties for automakers that fail to meet CAFE standards. That’ll save car companies billions every year.

With no penalty for building gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs, they have the ability to lean into those high-margin segments even more than they already do.

More: US Tariffs Just Hit This Dodge So Hard It May Skip 2026 Entirely

The Wall Street Journal reports that Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa openly said, “This will mean to us a lot of additional profit.” Speaking of the new industry landscape, GM CEO Mary Barra said on an earnings call that “It also gives us the opportunity to sell EV vehicles… Excuse me, ICE vehicles, for longer and appreciate the profitability of those vehicles.”

Ford’s Jim Farley is on board too, saying, “This is a multibillion-dollar opportunity over the next couple of years.”

EV momentum slows as profits take priority

All three of these brands have spent billions on EV development, CAFE fines, and other tech in an effort to expand into more sustainable products. GM promised years ago that it would be an EV-only brand by 2035. Ford was planning to build a three-row EV in Canada. Stellantis famously axed the HEMI and kicked off the latest Charger generation with EV power only.

Clearly, it’s proven very tough for them to successfully break into the EV space and so the incentive now is to lean back into what they already know makes a big profit, ICE vehicles. Stellantis is going to announce new information on the gas-powered Dodge Charger with the Sixpack in just a few days.

Ford is now going to build big trucks in Canada rather than the three-row electric SUV, and GM hasn’t mentioned its all-EV by 2035 plan in quite some time.

Trucks, SUVs, and a new strategy

From a business standpoint, the pivot makes sense. American consumers continue to buy large vehicles in high volumes.

“Americans do like buying giant vehicles,” said Adam Lee, chairman of Maine-based Lee Auto Malls. “They’re going to see how many more giant SUVs they can pump out, because they sell a lot of them and make a lot of money on them.” He’s concerned that without continued investment in EVs that the US will fall behind in terms of sustainability and technology. 

For now, there’s no reason to think that automakers are going to scrap the EV work they’ve done, but their focus is likely changing for at least the next few years. It’s easy to see a path where the roadways are even more full of giant vehicles than they already are. 

After a brief hiatus, Chevrolet’s popular electric hatchback is almost ready to make a comeback. General Motors is reviving the budget-friendly Bolt, promising it will return “better than ever” as part of the 2027 model year lineup. Teasers of the upcoming version offer a more detailed preview than usual, though the design appears to lean more toward a thorough refresh than a full redesign.

One catch is that, while Chevrolet has confirmed the Bolt EV will be revealed in full this year, the 2027 model year designation likely points to a market launch in 2026

Back in December 2023, GM CEO Mary Barra confirmed that a new generation of the Bolt would debut in 2025, alongside a cryptic teaser that was focused on the model designation on the tailgate. Reports that followed in 2024 suggested that the Bold would return as a whole family of EVs. This time, however, Chevrolet has released clearer images that give a better sense of what’s coming.

More: Chevy’s Biggest Surprise Might Wear A Classic Name And Look Nothing Like The Original

Unlike the usual dimly lit teasers, the latest images show the 2027 Bolt out in the open, fully uncovered. Up front, it features a set of sharp-looking LED headlights with a familiar but more assertive appearance. These flank a slim grille with the Chevrolet emblem, while the lower bumper is textured and features a honeycomb-style cooling intake.

At the back, the taillights adopt a more conventional shape compared to the previous model, and are not attached to the rear glass anymore. Also visible is the updated NACS charging port on the front fender, which will allow Bolt owners to tap into Tesla’s Supercharger network. The black trim extending from the headlights remains a signature design detail, carried over from earlier versions.

Design Tweaks and Technology Updates

Chevrolet refers to the Bolt as “the first long-range, mass-produced EV available to customers at a truly affordable price.” The company says the upcoming version will build on that foundation with updates to the front fascia, rear lights, and charging hardware—plus “some other cool stuff” to be revealed later.

More: Chevy Has A New SUV For Budget Buyers But Not Everyone Gets It

Together, the comments and visuals suggest that the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt will be a heavily redesigned version of the original that debuted in late 2016 and received a mid-lifecycle update in 2021 before being discontinued in late 2023.

While early reports pointed to the new Bolt switching to GM’s Ultium platform, now no longer referred to by that name, it appears that the car will continue to use a revised version of its previous BEV2 architecture. This updated platform will incorporate newer tech, and GM is expected to use a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack to help keep costs down.

Production of the previous Bolt EV and EUV ended in late 2023 at the Orion Assembly plant in Michigan. The upcoming model is slated to be built at the Fairfax factory in Kansas City.

Chevrolet says more information about the 2027 Bolt will be shared in the coming months. A full unveiling is expected before the end of the year, although whether deliveries will begin this year or in early 2026 remains to be seen. Pricing is expected to come in slightly above the outgoing version, which started at $28,795.

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Even with the next-generation C9 Corvette likely deep in development ahead of its rumored 2029 debut, General Motors is already looking beyond. The company just offered a look even further down the line, imagining what a C10 could look like if it were drawn up today.

Their newly opened Advanced Design studio in Pasadena, California, pulled the cover off a striking new Corvette concept, one that leans hard into hypercar territory while rethinking the future of America’s most famous sports car.

Purists might want to look away, since this vision drops the V8 in favor of an all-electric powertrain. That choice appears to contradict recent comments from Corvette’s chief engineer, who suggested the sports car isn’t going fully electric any time soon. Then again, he did describe a fully electric Corvette as still firmly in the realm of “science fiction” which, in fairness, is what this concept is, even if it could loosely influence the eventual design of the real C10.

More: Chevy’s Biggest Surprise Might Wear A Classic Name And Look Nothing Like The Original

This is the second of three Corvette design studies scheduled to be revealed in 2025. It follows an earlier concept from GM’s European design team in the UK. According to GM, this project isn’t tied to production plans. Instead, the intent was to give designers full creative freedom to “reimagine what the Corvette could be.”

While GM stopped short of directly naming it the C10 in their release, the “C10” badge displayed on the front fender leaves little room for interpretation.

More than a Sports Car

Rather than resembling a Porsche 911 rival, the SoCal Corvette appears to have more in common with future hypercars from Koenigsegg or Rimac. It features aggressive mid-engine proportions, with bodywork that functions as part of the car’s aerodynamic system – similar to the Aston Martin Valkyrie.

The bumper intakes have hints of the C8 Corvette, combined with an F1-style carbon fiber front wing and ultra-slim LED headlights. The profile is mostly hollow, directing air to the massive rear diffuser. The rear end includes an active aero spoiler and air brake, design elements more commonly seen on high-performance exotics like Bugatti.

One of the standout features is the removable, front-hinged single-piece canopy. It lifts off to reveal a track-focused two-seat cabin. Inside, the cockpit includes a slim digital instrument cluster, an augmented-reality head-up display, and an additional screen mounted on a yoke-style steering wheel.

Sorry Folks, The Future’s Electric

Underneath, the Corvette concept is based on a carbon fiber tub and envisioned with a fully electric powertrain. GM notes the use of a T-shaped prismatic battery pack, which allows for low seating and improved airflow around and through the chassis. These choices point to performance priorities while also emphasizing aerodynamic efficiency

More: Forget About Supercars, This Corvette Is Coming For Hypercars

Back to the one-off Corvette hypercar, it measures 182.5 inches (4,669mm) long, 86 inches (2,184mm) wide, and only 41.4 inches (1,051 mm) tall, with a wheelbase of 109 inches (2,767mm). Compared to the current C8, it’s slightly longer and wider, with a much lower roofline. Its dramatic stance is accentuated by the futuristic alloy wheels measuring 21 inches at the front and 22 inches at the rear.

Global Vision, SoCal Lens

Brian Smith, design director, GM Advanced Design Pasadena explained the philosophy behind the project:

“Southern California has been at the heart of automotive and design culture for a century, and GM has had a deep design presence here for nearly 40 years. We wanted to ensure that this concept was developed through that SoCal lens, but with a global and futuristic outlook. Duality of purpose is the basis of this concept’s design strategy. The defining design aspect is the single-piece, front-hinged canopy than enables the entire upper shell to be removed, transforming the concept from an agile, slick sports car to a lightweight, open-air track car.”

We’re looking forward to the next Corvette concept that will be the work of a different design team, offering another perspective on the brand’s future. In addition to the Pasadena studio, GM also operates design centers in Detroit, Los Angeles, Leamington (UK), Shanghai, and Seoul, bringing a unique cultural influence to the table.

General Motors

President Trump’s trade war continues to cause self-inflicted injuries as American companies are getting slammed by higher fees. This includes General Motors, which revealed tariffs cost them $1.1 billion in the second quarter.

All told, the automaker is expecting tariffs to cost them between $4 and $5 billion this year alone. That’s a staggering figure and one that will likely result in price increases.

More: GM Needs A Corvette Turnaround As Sales Crash In First Half

Tariffs aside, the company earned $47.1 billion in revenue in the second quarter and had an adjusted EBIT (Earnings Before Interest and Taxes) of $3 billion. GM went on to note the latter figure decreased primarily due to tariffs.

In North America, the company reported net revenues of $39.5 billion. This was aided by record crossover sales as well as strong demand for trucks. U.S. dealer inventories were also down in Q2, while EV sales were up significantly.

Other notable takeaways include lower than average incentive spending and average transaction prices in excess of $51,000. The automaker said this shows “robust demand across our portfolio.”

While the elimination of the clean vehicle credit will likely cause chaos, GM noted second quarter EV sales were up 111% from a year ago and they controlled 16% of the U.S. EV market.

Chevrolet became the second best-selling EV brand as sales jumped 146% in Q2. This is largely due to the affordable Equinox EV, which is the third best-selling electric vehicle in America so far this year. The company went on to note Cadillac is the best-selling electric luxury brand and the 5^th largest EV brand in America – including both luxury and mainstream brands.

In a letter to shareholders, CEO Mary Barra acknowledged slower EV growth. However, she said “We believe the long-term future is profitable electric vehicle production, and this continues to be our north star. As we adjust to changing demand, we will prioritize our customers, brands, and a flexible manufacturing footprint, and leverage our domestic battery investments and other profit-improvement plans.” Speaking of flexibility, Barra noted ICE models have a “longer runway” than initially expected.

Lead image credit: White House photo

Cadillac has expanded its electric lineup more than ever, but shifting consumer interest in the States could complicate its all-EV ambitions. As demand for electric vehicles tapers off, the company may need to revisit its goal of becoming an EV-only brand by 2030.

The final quarter of this year could be especially challenging, since the federal EVs tax credit is scheduled to end, likely making both new and used electric models less accessible to many buyers.

Read: Cadillac Is About To Lose $7,500 Per EV And Still Isn’t Backing Down

GM’s flagship brand has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past couple of years. It first launched the all-electric Lyriq SUV and more recently, it’s been followed up by the electric Optiq and the three-row Vistiq. Additionally, Cadillac wants to once again become the ‘Standard of the World’ with the Celestiq. It has also launched two electric versions of the Escalade, known as the IQ and IQL.

Flexibility in a Shifting Market

Even with these investments, Cadillac is approaching the market with cautious adaptability. According to global Cadillac vice president John Roth, the brand is staying open to adjusting its powertrain strategy as needed.

“It’s really important in this continuously evolving marketplace to make sure that you’re meeting customers where they are,” he said. “The auto industry is never a straight line, and so to put absolutes in the marketplace, you’ve got to have some flexibility to pivot when it makes sense to do so.”

As Auto News pointed out, more manufacturers are acknowledging that both gasoline and electric models need to be available side by side, with consumers ultimately setting the pace for the transition. Roth confirmed that GM is actively working on plans for the fourth quarter to prepare for the end of the tax credit.

A Shrinking Gas-Powered Lineup

While Cadillac has grown its fleet of EVs, its range of ICE models has shrunk dramatically. The company recently halted production of the XT4, and the XT6 is set to follow later this year.

The XT5 is expected to remain in the lineup only through 2027. Meanwhile, the factory that currently produces the CT4 and CT5 sedans is being converted to focus exclusively on EVs. This shift could eventually leave the Escalade as the last gas-powered Cadillac standing.

To mark the 28th anniversary of their partnership, SAIC and GM have opted for a more grounded celebration, setting aside flashy supercars in favor of a concept vehicle called the Gen-Z Explorer, an electric hatchback aimed at the future of mobility in China.

While it may not offer the thrill of a sleek sports car, a production version, rumored to launch under Buick’s newly created Electra sub-brand, could become a significant model for the group in the Chinese market.

Read: Buick’s New Sub-Brand Teases Its First Sedan But It’s Not For Everyone

The concept was created by the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) Design, a joint operation between the two automakers, and was unveiled earlier this week. It’s believed to be similar in size to Nio’s Firefly and stands apart from anything else in the Buick or GM lineup. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as its clean, understated design could help it appeal to a broader range of buyers.

Unique Design Cues, Practical Intentions

Though there’s nothing particularly loud about its design, the Gen-Z Explorer does hide some showpiece features. Both the front and rear sections are reportedly embedded with thousands of micro LEDs capable of displaying images and messages. Look past the bright yellow and blue lighting, and you’ll also see that it has a three-door layout, unlike the Firefly’s five-door setup. A production version could easily add rear doors for practicality.

Powertrain Packs a Punch

According to Chinese media, the pint-sized SAIC-GM concept is packing some serious punch. It’s reportedly equipped with a new-generation powertrain that includes an electric motor at each axle, combining to produce 644 hp (480 kW).

That’s 3 hp more than the much larger Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and over 100 hp more than Renault’s potent new all-wheel drive 5 Turbo 3E. The Gen-Z Explorer can reportedly do 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in an impressive 3.8 seconds.

That’s not all. Its battery pack is said to have an energy density of 350 Wh/kg, and while we don’t yet know its capacity, the concept can theoretically travel 745 miles (1,200 km) on a single charge. It also has an 800-volt electrical system, allowing for 373 miles (600 km) of range to be added in just 10 minutes, as well as wireless charging.

No immediate plans for the car’s production future have been announced, but if it reaches the public roads, it will likely be sold through Buick’s new all-electric Electra brand in China.

Electric vehicle sales in the U.S. haven’t just hit a plateau – they’ve declined. Despite years of growth and aggressive expansion from automakers, new registration data shows that EV sales in May dropped compared to the same month last year. Specifically, registrations fell by 5.9 percent, marking the second straight month of decline and pushing EV market share down as well.

In total, 99,053 new electric vehicles were registered in the U.S. during May. While some brands continued to post growth, others recorded steep losses. EVs made up 7.1 percent of all light-vehicle sales for the month, a slight decline from 7.5 percent in May 2024.

More: These Are The Best Selling EVs Of 2025

Elon Musk’s company continues to sell far more EVs than any other car manufacturer in the country. In May, 42,861 new Teslas were registered, far ahead of Chevrolet in second place with 8,389. However, whereas Chevy’s sales rose 122 percent, those at Tesla dropped by 12 percent. This perhaps doesn’t come as much of a surprise given how public sentiment about Tesla has cratered this year due, in part, to Musk’s controversial involvement in politics.

Other major car manufacturers reported decreases in EV registrations, too. At Ford, they fell 6 percent to 6,710, while at Hyundai, they were down a considerable 22 percent to 4,730. Registrations at Rivian in May also fell 25 percent, while BMW experienced a 21 percent drop.

Not every brand followed the downward trend. Some showed substantial growth, led by Honda with a dramatic 266 percent rise. Acura jumped 2,911 percent – and although that might seem staggering, it’s admittedly a glitch in the matrix since it’s compared to a much smaller sample. GMC rose 111 percent, while Cadillac and Nissan posted gains of 33 percent and 29 percent, respectively.

More Than Just Pricing

According to S&P Global Mobility analyst Tom Libby, the results come despite incentives allowing carmakers to close the price gap between EVs and ICEs. “The fact that EVs are not selling means they have other issues — the range, the charging infrastructure and the product portfolio,” he told Auto News.

Read: New EV Sales Are Down But Used EVs Are Making A Big Comeback

Sales of EVs surged earlier this year as consumers were worried that President Donald Trump would scrap the $7,500 federal EV tax credit imminently. However, they lulled in April and May. With confirmation that the program will be scrapped from October 1, it’s possible buyers will again rush to buy EVs that are eligible for the rebate.

Last month, General Motors announced Fairfax Assembly would begin building the redesigned Chevrolet Bolt by the end of the year. That was expected, but the company also teased future investments for their “next-generation of affordable EVs.”

GM is now doubling down on affordable electric vehicles as their Ultium Cells plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee will be upgraded to produce “low-cost” lithium iron phosphate batteries. Work will begin later this year and production is scheduled to start in late 2027.

More: All-New Chevy Bolt EV Is Coming In 2025

The automaker isn’t saying much, but they’re “targeting significant battery pack cost savings” by embracing lithium iron phosphate technology. They noted the move also increases consumer choice as the company will continue to offer batteries with a nickel cobalt manganese aluminum chemistry.

GM’s vice president of batteries, propulsion, and sustainability said, “This upgrade at Spring Hill will enable us to scale production of lower-cost LFP cell technologies in the U.S., complementing our high-nickel and future lithium manganese rich solutions and further diversifying our growing EV portfolio.”

There’s no word on which vehicles will be equipped with lithium iron phosphate batteries, but nearby Spring Hill Manufacturing makes the Cadillac Lyriq and Vistiq. However, the batteries are likely destined for affordable EVs and not luxury models.

GM Still Focused On LMR Batteries

While GM is excited about LFP batteries, President Mark Reuss focused on their recently announced lithium manganese rich (LMR) chemistry. He noted construction at the Ancker-Johnson Battery Cell Development Center in Michigan hit a milestone last month when the final steel beam was hoisted into place.

Once the facility opens, its first task is to “advance LMR batteries into production before anyone else.” Reuss added the center will “help reduce development times for new batteries by as much as a year.”

New data has revealed the winners and losers in America’s EV market, and they make worrying reading. Some of the brands behind the best-known electric cars and SUVs have watched demand halve over the last six months.

Related: Sales Of Honda’s Only American EV Soar 963%

Before we get to naming and shaming, though, we ought to mention the overall number of EVs sold in January to June. Americans bought 607,100 electric vehicles in the first half of the year, which is up on the 597,800 sold in the same period last year, but only just. It works out as a meager 1.5 percent increase, and worryingly, the Q2 figures are down 6.3 percent, according to figures from Cox Automotive.

Tesla Model 3 Climbs as Model Y Slips

Among the top performers, Tesla’s Model 3 showed impressive growth, climbing nearly 38 percent year-over-year to 101,323 units sold. This uptick helped offset losses elsewhere in the lineup, including the Model Y, which still held the top spot with 150,171 units sold despite a 24 percent drop.

New entries like the Chevrolet Equinox EV also made a strong showing, launching straight into the top five with 27,749 deliveries in its first half-year. These results suggest buyers are increasingly looking beyond the most familiar badges for value and newer tech.

Elsewhere in the top ten, the Ford Mustang Mach-E held steady with a slight 2 percent dip, while the Hyundai Ioniq 5 nudged upward by 1.9 percent. Honda’s Prologue recorded a remarkable 963 percent increase, with 16,317 units sold compared to just over 1,500 the previous year, though it only went on sale in late March of 2024. GM’s momentum was also visible in the strong performances of the Blazer EV (up 76 percent) and Silverado EV (up 67 percent).

Ford also claimed the top spot for best-selling electric pickup, with 13,029 units of the F-150 Lightning sold despite a notable 16.7% decline. It was followed by Tesla’s Cybertruck, which recorded 10,712 units, 7.3% fewer than in the first half of 2024.

US EV SALES BY MODEL JAN-JUN

Tough Times for Legacy Luxury and Familiar Faces

But while a few standout models helped push overall EV sales up by a modest 1.5 percent, that headline number masks a much rougher reality for many brands. Kia’s EV sales, for instance, fell 54 percent to 13,600: deliveries of the EV6 and EV9 virtually halved, and Niro EV sales fell 68 percent. And Kia wasn’t the only one hurting in H1.

Demand for Mercedes EVs collapsed by 55 percent and it would have been much worse if not for the little EQB. Not that the EQB exactly had people rushing to dealerships, you understand. Its sales were down 8 percent, but compared to the EQE (down 75 percent) and EQS (-80 percent) it was a solid gold hit.

Rivian also had a rough first half of 2025, its overall sales falling 30 percent and the R1T dropping 47 percent, versus a 29 percent decline for its R1S SUV brother. Tesla, meanwhile, was down 11 percent and can thank the 38 percent increase in Model 3 sales for offsetting the lack of interest in its other models, including the Cybertruck, whose sales plummeted by 51 percent in the Q2. Tesla does, however, still command a whopping 46 percent of the EV market.

US EV SALES BY BRAND JAN-JUN

Other losers include the Audi Q4 e-tron (down 39 percent), Genesis G80 Electrified (down 45 percent) and BMW i5 (down 30 percent).

There were, of course, some winners in Cox’s data set. The overall EV sales count was helped by the arrival of some new models that proved incredibly popular with buyers, such as the Honda Prologue, and successful facelifts of existing cars like the Tesla mentioned previously and Hyundai Ioniq 5. GM’s Ultium SUVs also performed strongly.

Despite these few bright spots, the EV market does not look healthy, and with tax credits set to run out in just a couple of months, automakers are going to have their work cut out trying to turn it around.

US EV SALES BY BRAND Q2

US EV SALES BY MODEL Q2

Update: Chevrolet has opened pre-sales for the Spark EUV in Brazil, pricing the electric vehicle at R$159,990 (approximately $28,600). That’s more than twice the cost of the identical Baojun Yep Plus sold in China. The original story continues below.

Chevrolet has found a clever (read: cost-effective) way to make the most of its SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture by rebadging one of China’s most charming EVs, the Baojun Yep Plus. This fully electric urban SUV made an unexpected debut during a special event celebrating Chevrolet’s 100th anniversary in the Brazilian market.

The new model, set to be sold in Brazil as the Chevrolet Spark EUV, is essentially a Baojun Yep Plus with a Chevy badge stuck on the grille—no other major changes to speak of. Despite sharing a name and compact proportions, the Spark EUV has absolutely nothing in common with the Spark EV, Chevrolet’s short-lived electric hatchback sold in select states in the US from 2013 to 2017 before being phased out for the Bolt.

More: 12-Year Old Chevrolet Trailblazer Receives Another Facelift In Brazil

Inside, the Spark EUV borrows the modern digital cockpit of the Baojun Yep Plus, comprising a 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a free-standing 12.8-inch touchscreen. It is also expected to inherit the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) of the Chinese twin, developed by none other than drone-maker DJI.

The EV measures 3,996 mm (157.3 inches) long with a 2,560 mm (100.8 inches) wheelbase, making it Chevrolet’s smallest offering. While the Baojun lineup includes a five-door version, a three-door variant, and even a pickup concept, it’s unclear if GM plans to bring any of these alternative body styles to the Brazilian market.

Predictably, the Spark EUV borrows its electric powertrain directly from the Chinese-spec twin. A single rear-mounted electric motor generates 101 hp (75 kW / 102 PS) and 180 Nm (133 lb-ft) of torque. The 42 kWh battery pack offers a respectable 401 km (249 miles) of range on China’s CLTC cycle. The Baojun Yep Plus is also available with 32 kWh and 54 kWh battery options, but we don’t know if those will be eventually offered in the Chevy.

More: China-Made 2024 Chevrolet Aveo Unveiled In Mexico

One would think that the most compelling aspect of this tiny off-roader is its affordability. Still, the Chevrolet Spark EUV starts at R$159,990 ($28,600) in Brazil, which is more than double the ¥93,800 ($13,000) price of the identical Baojun model. The little Chevy is also more expensive than the rival BYD Dolphin Mini (Seagull EV) which starts at R$115,800 ($20,700) in the same market.

Deliveries of the Chevrolet Spark EUV are expected to begin this summer. The model will soon joined by the larger Chevrolet Captiva EV which is based on the Wuling Starlight S from China.

Update: GM has released new details on the China-exclusive Electra L7 sedan, including full powertrain specifications. This story has been updated to reflect the latest information.

While Buick’s presence in the US is now all about crossovers and SUVs, the brand is taking a different route in China, where the traditional sedan still has a place. The all-new Electra L7 joins Buick’s lineup in the world’s biggest automotive market, bringing sleek styling, a high-tech interior, and electrified powertrains.

More: Buick’s Electric Crossover Just Got A Lot Better In China

Electra is Buick’s sub-brand for new energy vehicles. It was formally announced in April 2025, with three concepts: a sedan, an SUV, and a minivan. The Electra L7 is the production version of the sedan, which evolves from the 2024 Electra L concept shown the previous year.

Design Toned for Reality

The model retains much of the design language introduced in the concept, though a few features have been streamlined for production. The lighting signature at both ends has been reworked, with more practical LED graphics. Furthermore, the sleek, flush door handles and traditional side mirrors replace some of the show car’s more experimental elements, bringing it closer to real-world usability.

Buick is showcasing a few standout design elements on the Electra L7, including its distinctive wing-shaped “Galaxy” headlights and turbine-inspired alloy wheels. The EV features a fastback silhouette with a focus on aerodynamics, measuring 5,032 mm (198.1 inches) in length, 1,952 mm (76.9 inches) in width, and 1,500 mm (59.1 inches) in height.

Its 3,000 mm (118.1 inches) wheelbase gives it a spacious footprint that places it just ahead of theT esla Model S and Mercedes-Benz EQE in overall length, while falling slightly short of the BMW i5.

Buick

Interior Tech with AI and AR

While Buick hasn’t yet shown the cabin, it promised “class‑leading intelligent driver-assist capabilities, a smart luxury cockpit and best‑in‑class extended‑range technology”.

The Electra L7 is expected to feature a total of eight screens, a massive 50-inch augmented reality head-up display, and an array of AI-driven features. All of this will run on Qualcomm’s 8775 chip, which supports high-end infotainment and connectivity. Driver assistance tech will come from Chinese tech company Momenta, which has developed a suite of sophisticated ADAS capabilities.

Flexible Platform, Dual Powertrain Strategy

The sedan is just one of six new energy models Buick plans to launch in the next year, likely alongside production versions of Electra’s SUV and minivan concepts. All of them will be built on Buick’s Xiao Yao architecture, a flexible platform designed specifically for China. These underpinnings are compatible with fully electric, plug-in hybrid, and range-extender powertrains, in FWD, RWD, and AWD layouts.

More: Buick’s New Sedan Concept Rivals The S-Class In Size

At launch, the Electra L7 will feature a range-extender powertrain. It uses a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine sourced from SAIC, which produces 154 hp (115 kW / 156 PS) and 230 Nm of torque. This engine doesn’t drive the wheels directly, instead, it functions solely as a generator to recharge the 40.2 kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery pack.

Propulsion comes from a dual-motor setup, delivering 164 hp (122 kW / 166 PS) at the front and 338 hp (252 kW / 343 PS) at the rear. Together, they produce a combined output of 502 hp (374 kW / 509 PS), providing all-wheel drive and plenty of performance on tap.

Buick claims the EREV version of the Electra L7 can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 5.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph). More notably, it offers an impressive combined range of 1,400 km (870 miles), with up to 302 km (188 miles) of EV-only driving based on the generous CLTC testing standards. Despite its strong performance, the car remains efficient, with average fuel consumption rated at just 0.5 liters per 100 kilometers (470 MPG).

Looking ahead, Buick plans to offer a fully electric version of the Electra L7. This variant will feature a CATL-supplied battery and a 900V electrical architecture, enabling support for ultra-fast charging. According to preliminary estimates, the system will be capable of adding up to 350 km (218 miles) of range in just 10 minutes, significantly reducing downtime during long trips.

Pricing and Availability

The Electra L7 is described as a “300,000-class vehicle”, meaning it will be priced close to ¥300,000 ($41,800) in China. Buick hasn’t announced a date for the market launch, but is already accepting applications of interest for test drives.

As with other Electra-branded models, the L7 is likely to stay exclusive to China, so a US launch isn’t in the cards. Production will take place at the factory of the SAIC-GM joint venture in Wuhan.

Buick has sold over 10 million vehicles in China since 1998. Its local lineup offers a much wider choice of models compared to that in the US, including four SUVs, four sedans, one hatchback, and a range of minivans.

General Motors has finally acknowledged the obvious: no one is buying the Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV. As we recently noted, the company only sold 2,383 Silverado EVs and 1,249 Sierra EVs in the first quarter.

Those are dreadful numbers, and they appear to have been the final nail in the coffin for plans to turn Orion Assembly into an EV plant. The facility was originally slated to build electric trucks in 2024, but that date was eventually pushed back to late 2025 to “better manage capital investment, while aligning with evolving EV demand.”

More: The 2026 GMC Sierra EV Now Starts $27,500 Less Than Before

Fast forward to today, and GM has thrown in the towel on its electric truck plans. Instead, Orion Assembly will now build gas-powered full-size SUVs and trucks starting in early 2027. The move means the plant will likely produce the redesigned Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe, and Suburban as well as the GMC Sierra, Yukon, and Yukon XL.

As for the Silverado EV and Sierra EV, they’ll continue to be built at the nearby Factory Zero in Hamtramck. That facility also builds the GMC Hummer EVs as well as the Cadillac Escalade IQ.

The Gas-Powered Chevrolet Blazer Lives

The aging Chevrolet Blazer was expected to be discontinued, but it’s getting a reprieve as production will begin at Spring Hill Manufacturing in 2027. That facility is best known for making the electric Cadillac Lyriq and Vistiq, but it also builds the dated XT5 and XT6.

Speaking of EV plants doing double duty, Fairfax Assembly is slated to begin building the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV by the end of this year. However, it’s getting some company in the form of the gas-powered Chevrolet Equinox, which will be built at the plant in mid-2027.

GM said the move will help support sales of the popular crossover, which was “up more than 30% year-over-year in the first quarter.” However, it’s important to note the model is currently built in Mexico, and this could have played a role in shifting some production stateside.

Unsurprisingly, GM didn’t mention tariffs or slower-than-expected electric vehicle adoption in today’s announcement. Instead, they packaged it in Trump-friendly form as CEO Mary Barra said, “Today’s announcement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to build vehicles in the US and to support American jobs.”

She added, “We’re focused on giving customers choice and offering a broad range of vehicles they love.” That’s a not so subtle hint that gas-powered vehicles aren’t going away anytime soon.

GM said the investments total around $4 billion, which is roughly the same amount of money they were investing in transforming Orion Assembly into an EV truck hub. This begs the question of how much money was squandered on the bad EV bet.

General Motors is having a great year when it comes to electric vehicles. Sure, some reports indicate sales might be cooling off in some corners of the market, but for GM, things are hot. The company says its EV sales have jumped 94 percent year over year, and one of its brands, Chevrolet, now ranks second only to Tesla in U.S. EV sales.

That’s not a small gap, though. Tesla still held nearly 44 percent of the U.S. EV market in the first quarter of the year, with 128,100 vehicles sold, or roughly as much as everyone else combined. However, Tesla’s May figures aren’t available yet, making a direct comparison with GM impossible.

Also: US EV Sales Jump In Q1, But The Biggest Losers Might Surprise You

Still, GM managed to sell 62,830 electric cars, trucks, and SUVs between January and the end of May. The first quarter alone saw a 94 percent year-over-year jump, and that momentum hasn’t let up. May turned out to be the company’s second-best month ever for EV sales, pushing GM to a 15.5 percent share of the current EV market.

Chevrolet carried much of that weight, accounting for over half of those numbers with roughly 37,000 deliveries during the same period. Leading the charge was the electric Equinox, which became GM’s best-selling EV with 21,804 units delivered.

Strong Numbers and Stronger Momentum

“Customers are responding in record numbers to our world-class portfolio of electric and gas-powered vehicles,” said Rory Harvey, executive VP and president of global markets. “In the first two months of the second quarter, we more than doubled our EV sales compared to the same period last year.” Lots of those sales are coming from the top EV seller, Tesla.

In fact, according to Scott Bell, vice president of global Chevrolet, over half of the sales GM has this year are conquest sales, meaning customers are switching over from other brands. He told the Detroit Free Press that the Equinox is a major player here.

“It’s certainly the most affordable EV out there with that kind of range. It is by far the leader in the clubhouse; it doubles our Blazer volume easily on a monthly basis,” said Bell. “Once you convert to an EV, you’re not leaving. Especially once you’ve invested in the infrastructure, a home charger, 86% of them will stay.”

Interestingly, General Motors’ figures are even more impressive when compared to Ford’s. The Blue Oval brand delivered 34,132 cars during the first five months of the year, marking an 8.3 percent drop from the same period in 2024. That’s right, Chevrolet outsold Ford, and that doesn’t take into account any of the sales from Cadillac and GMC. No doubt, some of that success comes from GM’s wider range of available EVs.

More: Dealer Fees In California Could Jump A Staggering 488 To 614%

At the same time, both GM and Ford are doing just fine when it comes to their combustion-engine businesses. Hybrids are selling great, too. We’ll get a clearer picture of the EV sales landscape soon. GM will announce its second-quarter sales numbers on July 1. Other automakers will no doubt do the same around the same time. 

Update: Chevrolet has released new photos of the Captiva EV in Brazil, which have been added to the gallery below.

Chevrolet is expanding its electric vehicle portfolio in more markets around the world, and its latest addition is a familiar nameplate with a new powertrain. The Captiva returns, this time as an EV, but don’t expect to see it on American roads. Instead, the new model is headed to regions like Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.

The Captiva name was first used in the mid-2000s for a compact SUV sold in certain markets like Europe, Australia, New Zealand, as well as parts of South East Asia, where it was also branded as the Daewoo Winstorm. After the original model was axed, GM revived the Captiva with a new version based on the Baojun 530, a Chinese model. Now, the Captiva has gone full electric, and it’s based on another Chinese offering.

Read: GM’s New Wuling Sunshine Is The Swiss Army Knife Of Chinese EVs

The model in question is the Wuling Starlight S (also known as the Xing Guang S), which is currently sold in China. Recent social media posts from General Motors in Brazil reveal that much of the Wuling’s design has been carried over to the Chevy, though it’s been tweaked just enough to better fit the Bowtie badge.

At the front, the Captiva EV sports narrow LEDs and turn signals, with the main headlamps placed lower down on the fascia. Despite being an electric vehicle, it still has a large black grille, a departure from the grille-free designs we’re used to seeing in more modern EVs. The rear end, however, is almost identical to the Wuling model, with the same taillights, tailgate, and black bumper.

The Captiva EV will be sold in markets like Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, regions where its compact size and affordability are expected to hit the mark. Needless to say, the US remains firmly out of the picture.

More: Chevrolet’s Smallest EV Costs More Than Double Its Chinese Twin

Technical specifications for the new model have yet to be announced. However, we know that the all-electric version of the Starlight S has a claimed driving range of up to 317 miles (510 km) and can reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in 7.7 seconds. Similar specs can be expected for the Captiva EV, including the ability for the battery to be charged from 30-80% in 20 minutes.

Chevrolet said that the Captiva EV is currenting going through the final stages of homologations in the country, including “extensive series of tests and validations”. Pricing will be announced at a later date, but the official website has a form where prospective buyers can declare their interest and sign up for updates.

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