The next-gen Chevy Bolt is finally almost here. GM confirmed that production is on track to begin by the end of the year, but the company is saying to keep a lookout for another affordable EV coming soon. Here’s what we know about the mysterious new model so far.

GM plans to build another affordable EV in the US

After revealing plans to invest around $4 billion over the next two years to ramp up production in the US, GM announced a new “next-gen affordable EV” was in development.

The new electric car will be built at its Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas, alongside the next-gen Chevy Bolt EV. GM said the facility is on track to begin building 2027 Chevy Bolt EV models by the end of the year. It’s also planning to add the gas-powered Equinox to the mix in mid-2027.

Fairfax will be home to GM’s upcoming lineup of affordable EVs, starting with the next-gen Chevy Bolt. GM didn’t reveal any other details of the low-cost electric car, but it could be a part of a series of new Bolt models.

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Last year, GM’s president, Mark Reuss, revealed the 2027 Chevy Bolt EV will be part of a “family of Bolts,” including an even lower-priced version.

Although the initial model is expected to start slightly higher than the outgoing $28,785 MSRP of the outgoing Bolt, GM promises it will feature significant improvements.

GM’s CEO, Mary Barra, boasted the next-gen Bolt will offer “an even better driving, charging, and ownership experience.”

It will also be the first Ultium-based model in North America to feature LFP batteries, enabling GM to offer it at lower prices.

Earlier this year, a covered vehicle was spotted in a lot filled with GM electric models, which appeared to be the new Bolt (check out the video here).

We should learn more about GM’s next-gen affordable EV as we get closer to launch. Check back for the latest.

Electrek’s Take

GM’s new $4 billion investment is designed to increase US production of both gas and electric vehicles as it looks to overcome Trump’s auto tariffs.

The new tariffs are already wreaking havoc on the US auto industry, with nearly every automaker adjusting production plans in some way.

Although GM is planning to launch another affordable EV following the Bolt, it already has one on the market that’s proving to be a hit.

The Equinox EV helped push Chevy past Ford to become the second-best-selling EV brand in the US earlier this year. GM said on Tuesday that Chevy sold over 37,000 EVs in the US through May, compared to 34,000 for Ford.

GM calls the electric Equinox “America’s most affordable 315+ mile range EV” with starting prices under $35,000.

Who would have thought that a long-range, lower-priced EV would sell? With a series of next-gen affordable EVs in the works, GM looks to close the gap with Tesla in the US EV market.

GM will soon offer an electric vehicle for everyone with entry-level (Chevy Bolt, Equinox EVs), midsize (Chevy Blazer EV), pickups (Chevy Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, GMC Hummer EV), and luxury (Cadillac Lyrqi, Optiq, Vistiq, and Escalade IQ)

With 13 all-electric vehicles now on the market, GM has sold over 62,000 EVS in the US through May. Last month, the company announced it had surpassed Tesla to become the “#1 EV seller” in Canada in the first quarter.

We will learn more soon, with GM set to report Q2 sales on July 1. The company said this week that May was its second-best month to date for EV sales, so Q2 numbers should be interesting.

Volvo Construction Equipment is a leader in sustainable and battery-powered construction equipment manufacturing, and the company intends to stay in front by spending more than $260 million to expand its global production capacity — starting with a $40 million expansion of its Shippensburg, PA plant in 2026.

The Swedish construction giant will invest more than $260 million in three sites globally, expanding its crawler excavator production to meet growing customer demand while, at the same time, mitigating supply chain risks and reducing its reliance on long-distance logistics (and, of course, avoiding tariffs wherever possible).

“We must respond to growing demand, and we’re excited to expand our facilities to serve our customers better,” offers Melker Jernberg, global Head of Volvo CE. “This investment underscores our commitment to quality and innovation, allowing us to deliver even greater value.”

Pennsylvania power up

The Shippensburg facility will add crawler excavator production to its existing lines, but also expand wheel loader production to include some of the company’s largest wheel loaders, adding those to the soil and asphalt compactors and mid-size wheel loaders that are manufactured and developed at the Shippensburg factory, today.

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“Bringing excavator production to North America and growing the range of wheel loader models built here has always been part of our long-term industrial plan, so it’s exciting to finally share this news with our employees, dealers and customers,” said Scott Young, Head of Region North America for Volvo CE. “This increase in production capacity means that over 50% of our North American machine supply can be built here in Shippensburg, resulting in shorter lead times while also creating opportunities for supplier growth.”

The remaining millions will be spent across sites in Changwon, South Korea, and an unspecified production site in Sweden.

Electrek’s Take

If the goal of the Trump tariffs is to bring more investment into American manufacturing, it’s hard to argue that they’re not working — in this case, at least. Whether or not they’ll lead to more isolation and an even bigger gulf between American technology standards and the rest of the world’s as they advance their big battery-electric and even battery-swapping heavy equipment assets remains to be seen.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Volvo CE.

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Tesla leaseholders in France are suing the automaker to terminate their leases due to Elon Musk’s association with the cars, claiming they have become “far-right totems” and have harmed their reputation.

Over the last few years, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has taken a sharp turn to the right of the political spectrum. After buying Twitter, he brought back and promoted several far-right voices banned for various reasons, and he himself promoted far-right disproven conspiracy theories.

He financed Trump’s election to the tune of almost $300 million and pushed for several far-right parties in Europe, including the AFD in Germany.

In France, he argued that far-right politician Marine Le Pen was politically persecuted and should be freed after a court convicted her of embezzling funds earlier this year.

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His involvement in politics has alienated a significant portion of Tesla’s customer base, particularly in Europe, where Tesla’s sales have plummeted.

The impact on Tesla is going beyond new buyers turning to other brands, but it also resulted in existing owners selling their vehicles to distance themselves from the brand.

We previously reported that Tesla owners have also been putting stickers on their cars to make it clear that they disapprove of Musk, and some have even removed their Tesla logos and replaced them with those of other brands.

But Tesla leaseholders face a different problem and now, they are trying to address it through the court in France.

A group of now 10 Tesla lessees is suing the automaker in France to terminate their leases because of Musk’s behaviors (via Reuters):

A small group of Tesla owners in France is suing the carmaker run by Elon Musk, alleging its vehicles have become “far-right totems” that are harming their reputation, the law firm representing the group said on Wednesday.

GKA, the law firm representing the leaseholders, commented on the case:

Tesla vehicles have become powerful political symbols and are now perceived as true far-right ‘totems,’ much to the dismay of those who purchased them solely as innovative and eco-friendly vehicles.

They are seeking to break their lease contracts and recover the legal costs from the case.

Electrek’s Take

Tesla used prices are crashing, so leaseholders should be happy that they don’t own them. That said, I can’t blame them for wanting to get out of the car as soon as possible and terminate their leases.

However, I’m not familiar enough with French law to know if they have a case here.

I don’t think there’s a precedent for a CEO of a consumer product company tarnishing the brand to the level Musk as done over such a short period.