GM to end ICE production in the coming decade?

AFS reports that the extension of the ICE Cadillac Escalade production by five to six years means the final model will likely be released by 2033 or 2034. This aligns with GM's plan to transition to an all-electric lineup by 2035, the same year California will require all new vehicle sales to be zero-emissions.

In a recent exclusive interview on NBC Nightly News, GM CEO Mary Barra was asked about this transition. Her response, "We'll be guided by the customers. It will be led by what customers want," led to an initial misleading headline suggesting a delay in GM's electric vehicle commitment. This was later corrected to, "GM CEO says commitment to all-electric fleet remains firm despite industry-wide sales slowdown."

A GM spokesman confirmed to Autoweek that the company remains committed to an all-EV lineup by 2035 and is on track to produce 1 million EVs in North America by 2025, with 200,000 to 300,000 EVs expected this year. The spokesman clarified that Barra's reference to "customers" included the entire industry, not just GM.

Despite this commitment, Automotive News reported a delay in new EV motor production at GM's St. Catharines Propulsion Plant in Ontario, Canada. The automaker emphasized that they would continue to build propulsion technologies based on demand.

According to the Standard newspaper of St. Catharines, Ontario, Unifor Plant Chairman Trevor Longpre informed his Local 199 members that the company announced the delay in the BEV project without providing further details. GM has ceased V-6 engine production and laid off 300 workers at the plant, which initially employed about 1,100 union workers for V-6 and V-8 engine production. The original plan was to produce 400,000 EV motors annually at the St. Catharines plant.

The general consensus is that the transition to an all-EV future will not see a steady increase in sales. Despite challenges, GM is positioned to become the first major automaker to end ICE production within the next decade.

When asked by NBC News's Tom Costello if GM would remain committed to EVs under a Trump administration, Barra affirmed, "We'll be just as committed because we think in the long term they're better." This is despite Trump's promise to eliminate federal EV incentives. GM's $35 billion investment in EV development from 2020 to 2025 underscores the company's long-term commitment to electric vehicles.

Original Article Credit: "GM could become the first major automaker to end ICE production in the coming decade." From: Autoweek, TODD LASSA

Editor Comments: GM to end ICE production in the coming decade? - Well, I think it will come down to politics and consumer demands. I feel that change is inevitable.