GMC’s BEV rollout continues
BY MATT BROGAN | 20th Aug 2024
ALTHOUGH General Motors recently announced that it would scale back investment in battery electric vehicle (BEV) production across several brands in response to slowing growth in BEV demand across the North American market, for GMC – maker of the Sierra EV Denali, Hummer EV pick-up and Hummer EV SUV – the forecast remains optimistic.
Speaking with Australian media at the preview of the internal combustion engine (ICE) 2025 GMC Yukon AT4 and AT4 Ultimate, GMC and Buick executive director of communications Sean Poppitt said the brand is enjoying strengthening sales across every market in which it competes.
“I couldn’t talk about GMC without talking about our electric future as well, and while we’re not making any announcements about vehicles coming to Australia, it (electrification) is really a key part of GMC and how we’re going to go forward,” he said.
“The Hummer, we’re seeing more momentum with that every month as production continues to ensure every month is a new record. Sierra EV is just about to start rolling out of our Factory Zero.
“So, pretty soon, we’ll have three EV trucks on the road here in the US and some select international markets as well.”
Whereas GMC’s parent company will slash up to 100,000 BEVs from its forecast through the end of the calendar year, Mr Poppitt said ICE vehicle sales were opening new opportunities for electric vehicle sales in both new and established GMC markets.
He hinted that ICE models had the potential to generate interest in BEV variants down the track.
“This is a real growth opportunity for GMC, where we can take the strength in our ICE vehicles – be those trucks or be those SUVs – and grow them with new customers, new opportunities into the EV space as well,” he added.
“The brand is set up for continued success, with amazing momentum, and we’re looking forward to bringing it into (more) international markets with the Yukon heading into Australia next year.”
GM CEO Mary Barra recently announced that the car-maker would look to offer hybrid and plug-in hybrid options across its future range, with Mr Poppitt suggesting news on this front will soon become “very clear”.
“We will have hybrids across the GM portfolio, in strategic sections, but we haven’t mentioned specific brands, nor specific models, at this point in time,” he added.
Earlier this year, Ms Barra said that slower-than-expected BEV growth had prompted GM to rethink hybrid and plug-in hybrid opportunities, suggesting a new wave of PHEVs would likely enter the market in early 2027.
Factors including customer demand and production capacity means GM will not have the ability to reach its previously announced target of one million EVs by 2025, instead broadening its electrification goals to include HEV and PHEV variants.
“We won’t get to a million just because the market’s not developing,” Ms Barra told The Detroit News earlier this year.
“Plug-ins are an important part of meeting the regulatory space and giving consumers more options, so as the regulatory space evolved, it made sense for us to assess our strategy.”
GoAuto understands PHEV technology will initially be offered in the Chinese market in models including the Equinox SUV and Buick Velite before being adapted for sale elsewhere.
The commonality of platform and driveline types means the 1.5-litre petrol/electric powertrain could find its way into similar sized models under the GM umbrella, but not larger pick-ups and SUVs like the Yukon, Sierra or Hummer duo.
Further announcements on GM’s change of focus are expected to be announced in the coming months.
