After back-to-back record EV sales in July and August, GM is on the cusp of surpassing Ford this year. As new electric models like the Chevy Equinox and Blazer EVs hit the market, will GM overtake Ford in EV sales this year?
Can GM top Ford after back-to-back record EV sales?
After delivering 21,930 electric vehicles in the entire second quarter, GM sold nearly as many EVs over the past two months.
GM sold nearly 21,000 EVs in the US over the past two months, according to new sales data from CNBC. In August alone, GM’s EV sales surged roughly 70% from last year.
The sales surge comes as GM expands its lineup across key EV segments, including low-cost and luxury.
“We have the most comprehensive EV lineup out of any manufacturer in the industry, in the US, at the moment,” GM’s president of global markets, Rory Harvey, said.
Harvey believes GM is “definitely outstripping the industry in terms of growth” with EVs. Although still far behind market leader Tesla, GM is closing the gap with rivals Ford and Hyundai.
GM is still about 20,000 EV sales behind Hyundai Motor (including Kia), but only about 2,000 shy of overtaking Ford.
Hyundai and Kia sold about 21,760 EVs in July and August, Ford sold 17,876, and GM sold 20,948.
Through the first eight months of the year, Hyundai and Kia remain second in the US EV market with about 83,643 vehicles sold, Ford is second at 62,056, while GM placed third at 59,303.
Momentum building
“We have momentum on our side,” Harvey told CNBC. “We anticipate quarter four will be strong in terms of EV adoption.” GM’s president of global markets believes the company will take a “disproportionate share” of the EV growth.
GM’s upbeat outlook comes as new models, such as the Chevy Equinox, Blazer, and Silverado EVs, gain momentum.
Its luxury Cadillac brand is also seeing higher EV demand. Cadillac sold nearly 7,300 Lyriqs in Q2, boosting GM’s record EV sales. The brand will add two more EVs, the Escalade and Optiq, to its lineup by the end of the year.
With the new EV models, GM’s lineup includes vehicles priced from $35,000 to over $300,000. In comparison, Tesla’s cheapest vehicle, the Model 3, starts at around $39,000, while the Cybertruck tops off the lineup at $100,000.
Hyundai Motor’s EVs, including its Kia and Genesis, range from $34,000 (Hyundai Kona Electric) to roughly $80,000 (Genesis G80).
Although GM was one of the first legacy automakers to go “all in” on EVs, the American automaker has pulled back on many of its targets. Although GM initially committed to ending gas-powered vehicle sales in 2021, CEO Mary Barra says that goal is now based on consumer demand.
GM has delayed other initiatives, including its 1 million EV production target for 2025. The company said it remains on track to build 200,000 to 250,000 EVs this year, down from its previous goal of upwards of 300,000.
Electrek’s Take
Will GM overtake Ford and Hyundai in EV sales in the US by the end of the year? Ford’s recent setbacks, including canceling its three-row electric SUV, could open the door for GM to top its US rival by the end of 2024.
Meanwhile, surpassing Hyundai may be another challenge. Hyundai will begin production at its new Metaplant America later this year, where it will build new EVs, including the updated 2025 IONIQ 5.
In the US, Hyundai also plans to launch its three-row electric SUV, the IONIQ 9, later this year. After a hot start with Kia’s three-row EV9, Hyundai expects to see demand for the larger electric SUV.
Once the battery portion opens at the plant next year, Hyundai expects EVs built at the facility to qualify for the $7,500 tax credit, leveling the playing field with GM and Ford.
It will be an exciting race to watch into the end of the year. Outside of Tesla, which automaker will end 2024 with more EV sales? GM, Hyundai, or Ford? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
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In honor of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, eBike specialist Buzz Bicycles is offering an exclusive discount for Electrek readers on its Centris Class 2 Folding Bike.
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Buzz Bicycles is back with an exclusive new deal
Buzz Bicycles has been a mainstay on Electrek for a few years now, as we have covered several of its electric bikes, which suit riders of all skill levels and help them “Buzz through life.” Buzz is an omnichannel eBike brand that prioritizes direct-to-consumerism and has found success in its mission to deliver ultimate transportation solutions at an excellent value for its growing base of eBike enthusiasts.
The company strives to deliver riders a “Wow moment,” which is usually brought on as they feel the pedal assist function kick in. This feature delivers all you need to conquer hills and longer rides while enjoying new adventures with friends.
The Buzz team has utilized decades of industry experience into its portfolio of eBikes, all conceived and designed in Dayton, Ohio. The company, which operates under the United Wheels umbrella alongside brands like Huffy Bicycles, Niner Bikes, and Batch Bicycles, has adopted an ethos that the freedom of riding should be fun and accessible for everyone, no matter what adventure lies ahead.
By leveraging the global presence of its parent company, Buzz Bicycles can make good on its promise to deliver affordable eBikes that are comfortable, powerful, and safe, much like the Centris Folding eBike, which is as versatile and compact as it is fun. The exclusive deal Buzz Bicycles is offering on the Centris makes it even more fun. You can take advantage of it below.
But first, you’ll want to learn about the capabilities of this foldable eBike to truly understand its value, as well as what accessories are available to level up your purchase.
The Buzz Centris is an easy to ride foldable eBike for all
The Buzz Centris is a Class 2 Folding eBike built for comfort and convenience no matter where you take it. At full size, the Centris’ step-through frame offers a low step-over height of just 16 inches, perfect for riders of all sizes, enabling easy transitions from ground to saddle for its riders.
When you’re not riding, the Centris from Buzz Bicycles folds neatly to 34 inches in length and 22 inches in height, making it easy to store at home or to carry in a vehicle on the way to your next ride. Furthermore, the assembled bike only weighs 68 pounds, making it easy to transport.
You can easily navigate tougher terrain on the Centris thanks to the eBike’s 20″ x 4″ knobby tires and front suspension. The bike is powered by a 48V, 500-watt-hour (Wh) battery pack that can propel it to a top speed of 20 mph for an all-electric range of up to 40 miles on a single charge.
Additionally, this folding model from Buzz Bicycles comes equipped with both a front and rear rack, offering versatile cargo-carrying options so you can customize your ride with a variety of Buzz accessories.
Like all Buzz eBikes, the Centris is tested and deemed compliant with the UL2849 standard. This standard covers the entire electric bicycle system, including the motor, battery, controller, and charger, offering the highest safety standards for added peace of mind.
The Centris Class 2 folding bike from Buzz is available in two colors: Gloss White or Matte Black. This $1,199 eBike is currently reduced to $899 – and you can score an additional $200 off with this exclusive promo, but only for a limited time.
With the purchase of any Buzz eBike, including the Centris, you are guaranteed the following:
10-year limited warranty (lightweight aluminum frame protected for full 10 years)
2-year limited warranty (electrical components covered by 2-year warranty for peace of mind)
6-month limited warranty (additional bike components protected by a 6-month warranty)
Are you interested in the Centris from Buzz Bicycles? You’ve come to the right place. Starting today, while supplies last, you can take advantage of an additional $200 off the sale price by using promo code “ELECTREK200.“ That’s a $500 discount in total!
We highly recommend perusing Buzz’s entire lineup of products. They are designed for commuters and casual riders, with technology and features that help you quickly feel comfortable riding. If you are new to the world of E-transportation, Buzz Bicycles is the brand for you.
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With up to 500 km (310 miles) of all-electric range, the new Mercedes eActros 600 electric semi truck was designed for long-haul trucking – and now, it’s officially in production at the company’s Wörth plant in Bavaria.
“The start of series production of our eActros 600 is a further proof of our ambition to transform the industry,” offers Karin Rådström, CEO of Daimler Truck. “With a range of 500 kilometers on a single battery charge, our eActros 600 is addressing the long-haul segment in Europe which is responsible for two-thirds of CO2 emissions from heavy road freight. Our battery-electric long-haul truck will therefore make a real difference.”
In addition to the 600’s additional range, the newest eActros marks another milestone by becoming the first electric Mercedes semi to be manufactured on a single line (the eActros 300/400 and eEconic leave their standard production lines to have their electric drive components installed at Mercedes’ Future Truck Center in Wörth).
“With the start of series production of the eActros 600, we are expanding our Wörth product portfolio with an important vehicle for the future,” says Andreas Bachhofer, Head of the Wörth site and Production at Mercedes-Benz Trucks. “Construction of this first battery-electric truck made in Wörth will be fully integrated into the existing assembly hall, flexibly alongside the manufacturing of combustion-engine trucks. This means that we are ideally positioned for the production of larger quantities. Our production team is well prepared for the successive ramp-up over the coming months.”
The new electric semi truck features a 600+ kWh battery (hence, eActros 600) that sends power to a new, highly efficient electric drive axle developed in-house by Mercedes-Benz, good enough to “be able to travel significantly more than 1,000 kilometers per day. This is made possible by intermediate charging during the legally prescribed driver breaks – even without megawatt-charging.”
Ben Maclean is the 24-year-old owner of a land reclamation business called Down to Earth Developments that specializes in transforming unusable or degraded land into more productive plots that can be put to residential or agricultural use – and Ben is using these hybrid machines to make reclamation an even more sustainable enterprise.
Maclean is bucking the trend of young people avoiding construction and agriculture and making a name for himself throughout the UK. Soon after becoming the youngest customer to order one of Caterpillar’s first D6XE electric dozers earlier this year. Ben was so impressed with the big electric drive CAT that he ordered another one.
It’s just arrived – and Ben seems pretty excited about it.
“It’s not just the electric drive using less fuel, but the all-round technology package you get with CAT machines that saves costs in quite a few ways,” explains Maclean. “We also have two CAT 323 hydraulic excavators and their grade assist and payload technology help us get the job done that little bit quicker.”
“Sustainability is quite literally what they do,” says Ryan Trafford, manager at CAT’s UK distributor, Finning. “Customers like Ben are the first generation to have grown up understanding the importance of making responsible decisions, with sustainability being at the heart of that.”
Here’s hoping more young people bring their sustainable priorities to the various trades as they come up.