GM expects a record year of Chevy Bolt EV sales after the fire recall

General Motors expects sales of its electric Chevrolet Bolt model to grow again from a high-profile recall after several vehicles caught fire in 2022 to achieve record results.

“We see a record number of sales and production for ’22’ and we see ’23’ being higher than 22. We are excited about both EV and EUV,” Steve Majors, vice president of Chevrolet Marketing, told the media on Wednesday.

The automaker resumed production and shipment of the Bolt EV and larger “EUV” version this week. Vehicle production at the plant in Michigan had plummeted since August, when the automaker recalled every bolt produced at the factory since 2016.

Detroit Automaker recalls two “rare product defects” in the vehicle’s battery pack’s lithium-ion battery cell that could cause a fire. GM is aware of 19 vehicle fires related to the problem, the spokesman said.

Despite the battery supplier, LG, being responsible for the problems, the fire and recall was a major blow to the automaker in terms of EV sales and its reputation.

GM will try to relaunch the Bolt models to the American people from Thursday with a new national television campaign for cars, Majors said. Advertisements shown to the media do not mention recall or fire.

Advertising will have a “large presence” in the early days of Major League Baseball, he said, adding that “we think we have a lot of interest and awareness for this.” “I think this is going to continue our advertising effort.”

Calling it an “arms race,” Majors said record bolt sales expectations are largely due to the overall increased interest in EVs, which have not been linked to gas prices nationally this year.

The Bolt EV went on sale in December 2016, while the Bolt EUV went on sale shortly before all vehicles were recalled last year. Bolt nameplates sold a record 25,000 units last year, with more than 23,000 Bolt EVs sold in 2017.