General Motors said Friday it is continuing to sell its electric Chevrolet Blazer after software problems forced the automaker to halt sales in December.
The issues, which centered around the functionality of the touchscreen interface and fast charging capabilities, have been resolved with a software update, the company said.
GM is also reducing the prices of several Blazer EV models by about $6,000, which with the government tax credit of $7,500 brings the final price of each Blazer under $50,000. The company will announce exact pricing for its standard-trim Blazer LT FWD at a later date, but it said it will start under $50,000.
“We’re excited to have the Chevrolet Blazer EV available again, this time with a compelling price, enhanced features and functionality, and qualifying for the full consumer tax credit,” said Chevrolet Vice President Scott Bell.
General Motors said it is taking what it learned from the Blazer problem and applying the new manufacturing standards to its entire fleet of electric vehicles. The company announced the suspension of sales of the midsize truck in February before any 2024 models hit dealers as a result of the new standards. The company said the stop sale only lasted two weeks as a result of the new proactive guidelines.
SEE MORE: German Tesla factory to be without power for days after suspected arson
GM has scaled back some of its expectations for electric vehicle production as sales have stagnated, partly due to consumer concerns about charging for longer trips.
During an earnings call in January, the company said it was bringing back some plug-in gas-electric hybrid models to the U.S.
Hybrid sales growth outpaced that of electric vehicles in the U.S. last year as environmentally conscious consumers bought them amid concerns about electric vehicle range and a lack of charging stations.
GM told investors at an earnings conference in January that it plans to sell 200,000 to 300,000 electric vehicles this year in North America, but Chief Executive Mary Barra said it would adjust if necessary.
“It’s true that the pace of EV growth has slowed, which has created some uncertainty,” Barra said. “We will build according to demand.”
Trending stories on Scrippsnews.com