[bro1999]

http://www.carsdirect.com/2018/chevrolet/bolt-ev

Part speculation on carsdirect, but I've seen from other sources that production of the 2018 Bolt will start sometime in December. Interesting tidbit is that production for the 2018 Bolt may be relatively "short", and the 2019s will be coming out sooner than usual.

My guess is that the 2019s will start production during the summer of 2018, with 2019's hitting dealer lots in the fall of 2018. I bet there will be a few updates for MY 2019 as well.

 

[Qinsp]

http://www.carsdirect.com/2018/chevrolet/bolt-ev

Part speculation on carsdirect, but I've seen from other sources that production of the 2018 Bolt will start sometime in December. Interesting tidbit is that production for the 2018 Bolt may be relatively "short", and the 2019s will be coming out sooner than usual.

My guess is that the 2019s will start production during the summer of 2018, with 2019's hitting dealer lots in the fall of 2018. I bet there will be a few updates for MY 2019 as well.

Early releases are normally March/April and are common. The 2016 CT6 and 2017 Volt are recent examples IIRC. The 2006 and 2004 Duramaxes had 1/2 year major changes as well. The 2014 Z/28 was truly a late release though, fall of 2014.

The most bizarre change over was the 2018 CT6. Released in the fall, it won't get Super Cruise until Winter it seems.

1/2 year releases are often big changes to the driveline but could be things like Adaptive Cruise.

 

[bro1999]

Early releases are normally March/April and are common. The 2016 CT6 and 2017 Volt are recent examples IIRC. The 2006 and 2004 Duramaxes had 1/2 year major changes as well. The 2014 Z/28 was truly a late release though, fall of 2014.

The most bizarre change over was the 2018 CT6. Released in the fall, it won't get Super Cruise until Winter it seems.

1/2 year releases are often big changes to the driveline but could be things like Adaptive Cruise.

The Gen 2 Volt may have been the weirdest launch of a new vehicle. 2016's hit the dealer lots in Oct 2015, then barely 5 months later 2017's are in production!

 

[Qinsp]

The Gen 2 Volt may have been the weirdest launch of a new vehicle. 2016's hit the dealer lots in Oct 2015, then barely 5 months later 2017's are in production!

Yes the 2016 Volt was probably shortest duration of any GM production run. I'd never seen anything like it. But it wasn't the 2016's fault. Oct is a still a valid release for a new year. What was really odd was selling 2017's so early in the year. The first 2017's should have been called 2016.5's.

 

[fotomoto1]

Any mention of adding ACC or other changes/improvements?

 

[TheBlueFlash]

Fingers crossed it has ACC and a Moonroof! I mean, ACC is an essential option at this point. It?s in the Volt, no reason it shouldn?t be available in the Bolt as well.

 

[bro1999]

Fingers crossed it has ACC and a Moonroof! I mean, ACC is an essential option at this point. It?s in the Volt, no reason it shouldn?t be available in the Bolt as well.

Who knows about ACC, but for a moon roof (or power seats, or other creature comforts) I'd look to the Buick Bolt, which may be unveiled at NAIAS this upcoming January.

 

[TheBlueFlash]

Fingers crossed it has ACC and a Moonroof! I mean, ACC is an essential option at this point. It?s in the Volt, no reason it shouldn?t be available in the Bolt as well.

Who knows about ACC, but for a moon roof (or power seats, or other creature comforts) I'd look to the Buick Bolt, which may be unveiled at NAIAS this upcoming January.

I?d be open to a Buick EV with those creature comforts.

 

[Sean Nelson]

http://www.carsdirect.com/2018/chevrolet/bolt-ev

Part speculation on carsdirect, but I've seen from other sources that production of the 2018 Bolt will start sometime in December.

That article is a few months old now, so this is not new information.

 

[bro1999]

That article is a few months old now, so this is not new information.

I don't remember reading about anything regarding the "early" release of the 2019s anywhere.

 

[Upper5Percent]

I don't remember reading about anything regarding the "early" release of the 2019s anywhere.

From back in July...
The Chevy Bolt EV is expected to be a carryover for the 2018 model year. However, new information confirmed by GM indicates that the 200+ mile electric car will be subject to a shorter production cycle than usual heading into 2018.

GM will be taking the unusual step of cutting short the 2018 model year Bolt. At the moment, there's no official word yet on what kind of timeframe that will involve. However, that could result in the 2019 Bolt appearing at dealers sooner than normal.

The Bolt currently does not have a direct competitor. However, the upcoming Tesla Model 3 will soon offer a stylish alternative with a similar price. Most electric cars currently have a range topping out at about 127 miles. Later this year, the 2018 Nissan LEAF will be redesigned and will offer semi-autonomous driving abilities, although range details have not yet been announced. (This is probably why the 2018 is going to be cut short, so the 2019 can meet and beat the upcoming competition with a new set of mods...)

http://www.carsdirect.com/2018/chevrolet/bolt-ev

 

[viking79]

Remember, there is a distinct possibility the Bolt EV might not be made more than a couple years as I figure with quickly falling prices of EV components old models will quickly become over priced. It is hard to take a Bolt EV and sell the next years model for 5 or 10k less. It might be easier to release new models at lower prices and switch up some features, etc.

Tesla Model 3 is fine as they are launching with high profit cars first, so as prices fall down the price of the 35k model is more reasonable (i.e., they can make money on it). I have a feeling the Volt is going to go away for the same reason. Maybe consider some of those transition models. Like for Volt to keep being sold it would have to get a lot nicer to justify the price or a lot cheaper and cut some features to compete with Prius Prime price vehicle.

 

[Steverino]

ACC is an essential option at this point.

Seems a bit over the top. I'd say it's a nice to have feature, not essential. I'm able to function just fine with my non-ACC Bolt and Volt. But like the moonroof, for some perhaps they could not go on living without one.

 

[Sly Bob]

Seems a bit over the top. I'd say it's a nice to have feature, not essential. I'm able to function just fine with my non-ACC Bolt and Volt. But like the moonroof, for some perhaps they could not go on living without one.

I know I for one want a Bolt but won't be placing an order until ACC is available. Have driven a GM vehicle with it and I won't be ordering until I can get that feature in the Bolt.

 

[Neromanceres]

I don't remember reading about anything regarding the "early" release of the 2019s anywhere.

Well as some have alluded too a summer production date of the 2019MY would be simply moving to a standard production schedule. Most cars undergo their MY change over that coincides with the summer shutdown. If anything the fact that GM is still producing 2017 Bolt EV's now is highly unusual.

MY change overs that happen outside of the summer shutdown typically only happen to introduce major new features or components.

 

[Neromanceres]

Remember, there is a distinct possibility the Bolt EV might not be made more than a couple years as I figure with quickly falling prices of EV components old models will quickly become over priced. It is hard to take a Bolt EV and sell the next years model for 5 or 10k less. It might be easier to release new models at lower prices and switch up some features, etc.

That wouldn't make much sense. It would be cheaper to keep building the Bolt EV as there are tooling that need to be amortised. GM dropped the price of the Gen I Volt $5K half way through it's life cycle. I could certainly see GM do it with the Bolt EV once federal tax credits dry up.

 

[fotomoto1]

Seems a bit over the top. I'd say it's a nice to have feature, not essential. I'm able to function just fine with my non-ACC Bolt and Volt. But like the moonroof, for some perhaps they could not go on living without one.

Seems almost 100% of these replies come from folks who've never owned a vehicle with it. IIRC you're in Chicago, you would LOVE this feature if you ever got to use it for longer than just a test drive. Trust me.

 

[Steverino]

Seems almost 100% of these replies come from folks who've never owned a vehicle with it. IIRC you're in Chicago, you would LOVE this feature if you ever got to use it for longer than just a test drive. Trust me.

I'm sure I'd like it, just like power windows, etc. The fact that I am perfectly content without it just tells me it's not essential. I see it as a nice to have not must have. Heck, I'd still be ok with crank down windows, lol.

 

[quirkySquirt]

Heck, I'd still be ok with crank down windows, lol.

I kinda miss the crank windows in my old 88 Maxima wagon. These new fangled auto-up driver's windows are too fast for my geezer hands. I crack the passenger and rear windows just to avoid the driver's windows. Those only have auto down so I can use the up motion to fine tune how much I crack open the windows. The driver's window is auto in both direction and I never could get used to the 2 stop positions on the window button to fine tune the driver's window enough.

 

[Steverino]

These new fangled auto-up driver's windows are too fast for my geezer hands.

Same here. Half the time the window wants to go all the way down, and I just want it open an inch or two. End up playing a down, up, down game trying to get it where I want. My window motors probably have 3x the wear they should have, haha.