Amid flagging sales, General Motors confirmed on Monday that it will no longer make the plug-in hybrid Chevy Volt, ceasing production on March 1st, 2019. The news comes as part of a wider plan by GM to slash car production in North America and halt production of several low-selling brands. Trading on GM shares was briefly halted on the stock exchange early on Monday in anticipation of “major operational changes,” according to CNBC.
GM plans to “unallocate” three assembly plants — in Oshawa, Ontario; Detroit, Michigan; and Warren, Ohio — putting the future of those plants in doubt, Reuters reports.
The move will necessitate layoffs of salaried executive employees. “Actions are being taken to reduce salaried and salaried contract staff by 15 percent, which includes 25 percent fewer executives to streamline decision making,” GM said in a statement. An estimated 14,000 factory workers and white-collar employees stand to lose their jobs, according to The Associated Press.
GM is making $3 billion to $3.8 billion in changes in order to generate $6 billion in positive cash flow by 2021, the company said. Workers at the Oshawa, Ontario plant are planning to walk out in protest, calling the announcement a “slap to the face,” according to The Globe and Mail.
The imminent death of the Volt is certainly a disappointment, especially for fans of early electric and hybrid vehicles. GM was lauded when the Volt came out in 2010 for its prescient bet on vehicles with electric powertrains. The first-generation model got 36 miles of electric range before the gas kicked in, while later versions would get 53 miles of electric range. That was enough for most people to cover their daily commute. Volt owners would often brag about not having to fill up their gas tanks in months or even years.
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07.05.2025