General Motors drops entry-level Blazer EV as deliveries begin

It's yet another example of new EVs getting more and more expensive.

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[McTurkey]

I don't disagree it is just disappointing. Tesla has the battery production capacity to produce 2M+ vehicles a year. Nothing they did over the last decade would have been impossible for the big OEMs to do as well.

Yes, if the big OEMs had started on EV production as a condition of the 2009 restructuring/bailout, instead of waiting until Tesla started pinging the possibility of consistent profitability a decade later, it's entirely possible that battery production constraints wouldn't be the biggest impediment to mass market EV production. But structurally and culturally, it was impossible for them to acknowledge that such a fundamentally different approach to the design of automobiles was necessary. It took someone else proving that it was possible to build and profitably sell a mass market EV for them to change their tune, just like it took SpaceX proving that it was profitable to land and reuse rocket boosters for other companies to (begrudgingly) start to change.

 

[ranthog]

And when the entry level $30k Equinox EV gets the axe, the revised Bolt EV should fill the gap, but I expect there will be nothing to fill the gap when those entry level models get the axe.

I hope Chevy isn't taking deposits for these entry level models. Given how in demand affordable EV's are, Chevy's history of marketing a low cost model (this Blazer EV, the $40k Silverado EV) and then abruptly cancelling it right before customers start taking delivery is really suspicious.

I'd still guess that this is probably just still supply chain problems working their way out, rather than GM not wanting to release the lower trims. I would guess they'll probably add the lower trim level back in as production ramps, and as they're not able to sell all the more expensive Blazer EV's.

From my understanding, though, with the pickups that for the consumer market GM was always going to start selling the upper level trims and work their way down to cheaper trims.

 

[punksmurph]

With reviving the Bolt on the new platform, I think they are doing this to free up more space for a higher trim Equinox EV and the lower spec Equinox may disappear in place of the Bolt line up at the sub $30K to low $30K price point. This is just shifting so they don't self-cannibalize sales.

 

[Statistical]

Yes, if the big OEMs had started on EV production as a condition of the 2009 restructuring/bailout, instead of waiting until Tesla started pinging the possibility of consistent profitability a decade later, it's entirely possible that battery production constraints wouldn't be the biggest impediment to mass market EV production. But structurally and culturally, it was impossible for them to acknowledge that such a fundamentally different approach to the design of automobiles was necessary. It took someone else proving that it was possible to build and profitably sell a mass market EV for them to change their tune, just like it took SpaceX proving that it was profitable to land and reuse rocket boosters for other companies to (begrudgingly) start to change.

It would have been great if they took BEV seriously that long ago but Tesla has been profitable for a number of years now. Had the OEMs gotten aggressive even five years ago while they wouldn't have capacity for 2M+ vehicles they should certainly be able to do 250k+. It feels like pulling teeth to get OEMs to ramp up production. It is 2024+ and we are talking about production runs in the tens of thousands. It is disappointing.

 

[Statistical]

I'd still guess that this is probably just still supply chain problems working their way out, rather than GM not wanting to release the lower trims. I would guess they'll probably add the lower trim level back in as production ramps, and as they're not able to sell all the more expensive Blazer EV's.

From my understanding, though, with the pickups that for the consumer market GM was always going to start selling the upper level trims and work their way down to cheaper trims.

From the wording they have said they are dropping it completely. In the past companies have done things like saying this trim is all that is available now when the entry level trim coming in 2026. GM could have done something like that but they used different language.

 

[lurknomore]

Only in America, can you have a household income of $300k, putting you in the top 5%, and still call yourself middle class.

To be fair, 5% means over 16 million people making more than you, many of which are flaunting it hard to make you feel poor as you only drive a base Bentley to your $2.5M house.

 

[m0nckywrench]

Isn't that the problem? New or used, all they can afford is an ICE?

Why would that be other than expected? There seems to be a lack of understanding how fast new vehicles percolate downward. They're so reliable people keep them longer. Of course the ICE to BEV swap will require decades. Why would anyone who follows the market expect or dream differently?

One option is open the market to cheap foreign electrics and let buyers opt for vehicles which don't always meet US safety standards. If we're allowed to ride motorcycles, scooters, e-bikes etc in traffic why not permit freedom of choice of other vehicles? Customers already make the informed choice to ride and drive vehicles with less than MRAP protection and the sky hasn't fallen.

 

[ranthog]

From the wording they have said they are dropping it completely. In the past companies have done things like saying this trim is all that is available now when the entry level trim coming in 2026. GM could have done something like that but they used different language.

From their language you'd also not have expected them to announce a second generation Bolt. That almost certainly was something they had already committed to when they announced the end of the run for the current generation.

So who knows. It seems like they're a bit shy on announcing things right now and committing. Either way, lower trim levels are probably pretty easy for them to quickly add back into the line up.

 

[Jeff S]

EVs for the rich, pollution for the poor.

Well, maybe, though I realize this might be overly optimistic, but maybe they will take the profits from the more expensive vehicles to re-invest in increasing factory capacities across the supply chain so they can make more EVs.

If they don't have the capacity to make EVs for everyone yet, then yes, it makes sense to have EVs for the rich, pollution for the poor.

The alternative is selling lower-profit vehicles and not getting the money to re-invest in increasing capacity.

Although, that does rely on the assumption they will actually re-invest those profits.

 

[Ushio]

I'm frustrated we're normalizing EVs for the rich, and making the poor liable for ruining the earth; when its the rich that left us a sorry fucking planet.

In 10 years there will be millions of old BEV's for those on lower incomes to buy. BEV's were never going to be affordable for the poor when new anyway.

 

[jhodge]

Over 31 million American's ear $100,000 or more a year. $60,000 is very affordable for them.

I would not regard a car that costs 60% of your annual income to be "very affordable". I'd consider it more "a poor choice".

 

[jhodge]

Why not? most of that income is just going to sit in the bank otherwise unless you have gone for a big ass home in a super expensive area with a massive mortgage.

What are you spending it on otherwise? regular bills are insignificant on $100,000 a year.

Not sure if serious. But, I'll play along. On a salary of $100,000, you're looking at

~30,000 in taxes (income + FICA)
~10,000 towards retirement, if you're smart
~20,000 towards housing (urban apartment or suburban mortgage)
~5,000 utilities (electricity, water, sewer)
~6000 food & drink
~1000 clothing (wildly variable, for sure)
~2000 vacation & hobbies
~2000 cell phone/internet/cable/streaming services/books/other entertainment
~1000 insurance (total WAG)
~1000 emergency/unexpected - something always comes up

So there's $78k accounted for. Some of those estimates are off, there will be expenses I've missed, but it's not unreasonable. That leaves ~$22k that you could put towards a car if you really wanted to. I'm not going to do the math on financing a $60k vehicle, but that's not "very affordable" in my estimation.

EDIT: The "cell phone" line originally had a typo of $20,000 instead of $2000, which I've fixed.

 

[Rex Reason]

"And early next year Chevrolet will also start making Blazer EV Police Pursuit Vehicles."

Does seem like a reasonable use for an EV?

 

[Ushio]

Not sure if serious. But, I'll play along. On a salary of $100,000, you're looking at

~30,000 in taxes (income + FICA)
~10,000 towards retirement, if you're smart
~20,000 towards housing (urban apartment or suburban mortgage)
~5,000 utilities (electricity, water, sewer)
~6000 food & drink
~1000 clothing (wildly variable, for sure)
~2000 vacation & hobbies
~20000 cell phone/internet/cable/streaming services/books/other entertainment
~1000 insurance (total WAG)
~1000 emergency/unexpected - something always comes up

So there's $78k accounted for. Some of those estimates are off, there will be expenses I've missed, but it's not unreasonable. That leaves ~$22k that you could put towards a car if you really wanted to. I'm not going to do the math on financing a $60k vehicle, but that's not "very affordable" in my estimation.

How the fuck are utilities that expensive? do they just go up with income because I would be homeless at those rates same same as food like what the fuck!

$20k for internet/cable etc.

I must live in a different reality to you because I am quite comfortable earning far less than $100,000 a year and have all that for far less as well.

I mean the US has a lot of people earning less than $30k a year who pay utilities and aren't one a starvation diet.

 

[Berger_Fan]

Sixty thousand dollars for a car seems a mite excessive.

In the late 1980's I was living in Tucson and was looking at houses that were around 30K because sixty thousand dollars for a house seemed a mite excessive. The house I was renting at the time now has a Zestimate of 297K.

The base trim Nissan P/U I bought in 1989 had a MSRP of $8419. The MSRP for the 1989 Blazer was $15355. 60K for this new Blazer which is a much more sophisticated vehicle is not that out of line.

 

[jhodge]

How the fuck are utilities that expensive?

$5000 is just a bit over $400/month. They're all estimates, but if you're paying for water, sewer, possibly natural gas or heating oil and enough electricity to run the house + charge a big EV, it adds up.

$2000 for internet/cable/cell/streaming is ~$165/month. Plenty of people spend that much on cable TV alone.

A lot of expenses do scale with income if you allow your lifestyle to scale up. A bigger house/apartment costs more, carries higher fees, greater utility costs, nicer clothes, more expensive hobbies, etc. Lots of people living on less than $30k? Sure. People living at that income level in decent housing, eating a good diet, and able to comfortably afford a $60k vehicle? I don't think so.

 

[Hydrargyrum]

"The cheaper of these is an all-wheel drive Blazer EV 2LT, which starts at $56,715. This rides on smaller wheels and does without some of the RS's options, like glossy black trim, heated rear seats, and a heads-up display."

The chances of my even buying a car without heated seats again is nonexistent. With a heated steering wheel & seats, I don't even need cabin heat for short trips where I keep my coat on, which is most of my driving.

TBF, I was never in the market for this vehicle to begin with, but that bit of artificial market segmentation just pushes my buttons for some reason.

I wonder what draws more watts, out of resistive spot heating in seats and steering wheel vs heat-pump based heating of cabin air.

I suspect, without evidence or having done any math, that for a single occupant vehicle the resistive contact-surface heating probably consumes less energy from the batteries. I wonder if there’s a crossover point as you add more passengers to the vehicle.

Perhaps it’s moot, since under conditions that really require heated seats and wheels (or heavy overcoats!), heat pumps probably don’t work well enough due to the high temperature differential they’re working against and the tendency of the external heat exchanger to freeze up, so the car would probably have to augment it with resistive heating of the air, which will definitely be much less efficient than heating the seats and wheel directly…

 

[Tonkaman]

"And early next year Chevrolet will also start making Blazer EV Police Pursuit Vehicles."

Does seem like a reasonable use for an EV?

Police vehicles spend 90% of their time idling. Like delivery vehicles, EVs are perfect for this use case.

 

[Ushio]

$5000 is just a bit over $400/month. They're all estimates, but if you're paying for water, sewer, possibly natural gas or heating oil and enough electricity to run the house + charge a big EV, it adds up.

$2000 for internet/cable/cell/streaming is ~$165/month. Plenty of people spend that much on cable TV alone.

A lot of expenses do scale with income if you allow your lifestyle to scale up. A bigger house/apartment costs more, carries higher fees, greater utility costs, nicer clothes, more expensive hobbies, etc. Lots of people living on less than $30k? Sure. People living at that income level in decent housing, eating a good diet, and able to comfortably afford a $60k vehicle? I don't think so.

Detached 2 bedroom house that I own and decent diet is easy (little takeout mostly salad or vegetables with roasted or grilled meat for main meal with sandwiches for lunch and fruit or toast for breakfast)

$2k is more reasonable your original post had it as $20k and I should have seen the 78k combined at the bottom.

I have to be honest if I was earning $100k a year it would be buy out a house completely first so once it's done decent car or super holidays every year after or hell both.

Don't really like debt and was willing to live quite sparingly while I paid off my home with lots of overtime and no holidays for about 8 years.

 

[real mikeb_60]

Why not? most of that income is just going to sit in the bank otherwise unless you have gone for a big ass home in a super expensive area with a massive mortgage.

What are you spending it on otherwise? regular bills are insignificant on $100,000 a year.

Let's assume that's wages or something you have to pay equivalent taxes on.

• Income & Social Security taxes, and a small (nowhere near enough) 401K contribution: 35-50% depending on the state and available deductions. So now we have $50-65K to live on.
• Housing: (rent or mortgage+taxes)+insurance for a basic place - 2 bedrooms at least - say $3K/month (many have to pay much more) or $36K/year. So we're down to $14-31K.
• Utilities (water, sewer, garbage, energy, internet, cable (maybe)) - even apartment dwellers usually have to pay at least for the last 3 of those, and if they don't the rent will be higher: say $4-500/mo total, or up to $5K/year. If you're in PG&E or SDG&E in California, it'll be higher. So we're down to $10K-27K.
• Food. For 2 or more, likely at least $50, average closer to $100 a week, unless you can get considerable subsidy (on $100K income, not likely). So, $3-6K/year. Now we're down to $7-21K.
• Clothes, shoes, etc. You need some. That would likely use up all that's left if you live in a high-tax state, and leave maybe a few $K on the table if you live cheaply.
• Oops, how are you going to get to work? Or buy that computer you need to work from home? Oh sh...aving cream.

No, regular bills are not insignificant on $100K a year. Manageable, if you can cut some of those major expenses (like housing, especially, or taxes and utilities and perhaps food by not trying to live in California). And a LOT of people make less, perhaps much less; how else do you get median incomes even in states like California that are in the $50-60-even 70Ks?

We aren't selling EVs to Those People. Sorry. Used ones, perhaps, but even there the market is doing its best to price them out of even near-compliance-cars like old Bolts. Poor People (which after this I'm going to say is most families - 2 or more people - with <$100K taxable income) in the US aren't buying even new cars; they're buying the cheapest thing (almost certainly ICE) that might last long enough to get them to work or the bus/train most days.

 

[jhodge]

$2k is more reasonable your original post had it as $20k and I should have seen the 78k combined at the bottom.

You're quite right - I fixed that typo and failed to note the change. I'll add that now to avoid confusion.

 

[Dr Gitlin]

onder what draws more watts, out of resistive spot heating in seats and steering wheel vs heat-pump based heating of cabin air.

It’s not even close. The air heater uses up to 1kW an hour.

 

[real mikeb_60]

It’s not even close. The air heater uses up to 1kW an hour.

And if you have something cheap, like a Bolt, that uses resistance heating rather than a heat pump, figure on 7 or more kw during cold (but not super-cold; call it around freezing) startup and defogging, eventually settling down to 2-3 kw maintenance. Heated seats are a no-brainer if you're buying new and can spec it, or if you can find a used one with the right option package.

Cooling is a different story. Since a/c is basically like 1/2 of a heat pump, it's reasonably efficient. I see it peak above 5 kw briefly on hot-soaked startup in my Bolt, but it quickly settles down to 1-2 kw maintenance even at 100F ambient.

Edit: for both heating and cooling, a lot of that startup power demand can be removed from the battery if you can remote-start it while plugged in to a Level 2 or DC charger. The heavy load is pulled from shore power, and if you give it 10-15 minutes can have the car comfortable by the time you arrive at it.

FWIW, our 2014 Prius a/c can kill the HV battery in about 5 minutes after a hot startup. The car is then limited to what the ICE can produce for power, becoming even more sluggish than usual. Heat, of course, is no problem because, after all, there's an ICE out there producing hot coolant even when its cold out.

 

[lip008]

There really is no excuse for this. The car is built in Mexico sans union labor costs. GM should be able to make it cheaper than the cheapest model Y which is built with U.S. contractor wages in the U.S.. With GM's greater ability to scale and churn out cars when compared to Tesla I've finally had it with that company. Bailed out and building plants in Mexico.

 

[AmanoJyaku]

How the fuck are utilities that expensive? do they just go up with income because I would be homeless at those rates same same as food like what the fuck!

Forbes - Monthly Utility Costs In The U.S. By State

Americans spend a monthly average of $429.33 per month on utilities, according to Forbes figures. That comes out to Americans spending about $5,151.96 per year on utilities, or 10% of their yearly income, according to the Consumer Expenditure Survey by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Utilities include water, internet, natural gas, phone, and streaming, ranging from $367.87 to $569.64 per month.

 

[dimathiel]

"The cheaper of these is an all-wheel drive Blazer EV 2LT, which starts at $56,715. This rides on smaller wheels and does without some of the RS's options, like glossy black trim, heated rear seats, and a heads-up display."

The chances of my even buying a car without heated seats again is nonexistent. With a heated steering wheel & seats, I don't even need cabin heat for short trips where I keep my coat on, which is most of my driving.

TBF, I was never in the market for this vehicle to begin with, but that bit of artificial market segmentation just pushes my buttons for some reason.

So you typically sit it the back seat when driving?

 

[Tagbert]

No, but I do drive my car with people in the rear seat, and I care for their comfort also. It does no good for me to be able to skip the cabin heat if my kid is freezing.

I was surprised that my 2012 Leaf had rear heated seats. A surprise because the Leaf is not a premium vehicle by any measure. Nice feature though we rarely had anyone back there.

 

[dimathiel]

There really is no excuse for this. The car is built in Mexico sans union labor costs. GM should be able to make it cheaper than the cheapest model Y which is built with U.S. contractor wages in the U.S.. With GM's greater ability to scale and churn out cars when compared to Tesla I've finally had it with that company. Bailed out and building plants in Mexico.

Yea that’s not how pricing works in a capitalist system.

Edit : Seems some people never took an economics class.

 

[BobbyBobberson]

If your AGI exceeds those thresholds, you are not middle class: https://dqydj.com/income-percentile-calculator/

I'm talking about southern California, not the United States as a whole.

 

[dimathiel]

Detached 2 bedroom house that I own and decent diet is easy (little takeout mostly salad or vegetables with roasted or grilled meat for main meal with sandwiches for lunch and fruit or toast for breakfast)

$2k is more reasonable your original post had it as $20k and I should have seen the 78k combined at the bottom.

I have to be honest if I was earning $100k a year it would be buy out a house completely first so once it's done decent car or super holidays every year after or hell both.

Don't really like debt and was willing to live quite sparingly while I paid off my home with lots of overtime and no holidays for about 8 years.

But that’s being fiscally responsible which is completely un-American.

 

[r0twhylr]

Do you often drive your car from the rear seat?

I always seem to have at least one backseat driver riding with me. (Usually Mrs. R0twhylr.)

 

[loopyfrogger]

You can still buy a Chevy Bolt which starts at $27k and gets the $7.5k tax rebate. That puts in the top 5 cheapest cars you can get in the US right now.

Yes on paper, but the last time I looked there were very few available and they all had "market Adjustments". I personally would love to buy one myself if I could find one at a fair price.

 

[dimathiel]

I always seem to have at least one backseat driver riding with me. (Usually Mrs. R0twhylr.)

That being the case a lack of heated rear seats might be seem as a bonus.

 

[Jeffro-Tull]

This isn't entirely true. Since the Bolt is being cancelled at the end of this year, all remaining stock has already been allocated. I've been on the wait-list to order one since May hoping that somebody cancels so I can order one.

What? I started talking to a dealership three weeks ago and ordered one two weeks ago. Got the build number a day or two later. I don’t anticipate actually taking delivery for quite a while, but one is coming with my name on it.

 

[TimeWinder]

Over 31 million American's ear $100,000 or more a year. $60,000 is very affordable for them.

No, it isn't. And 31 million Americans is less than 10% of the population, for that matter.

 

[Jacobeam]

$10k Chinese EV. Where u at?

 

[star-strewn]

Climbing car prices make an even stronger case for better walking, cycling, and transit options. Plus they're by far the better experience: not being a driver stuck in traffic or worried about what reckless drivers around you are doing. (I'm assuming protected walking/cycling infrastructure, because any less is close to pointless.) Feeling the power of your own muscles, or relaxing in a train car and having the time free to text, read, or do as you may? Those are good feelings.

Are automobile prices projected to decrease anytime soon?