By Dan Shriner
Review Editor
A vehicle that General Motors hopes will be the beginning of the future of automobiles will be built at the Orion Assembly Plant.
The pure electric Bolt EV could start rolling off the assembly line in late 2016 or early 2017.
General Motors announced the plan to build the concept vehicle after it received good reviews at the North American Auto Show in Detroit in January and from other sources.
‘The message from consumers about the Bolt EV concept was clear and unequivocal: Build it,? said GM North American President Alan Batey. ‘We are moving quickly because of its potential to completely shake up the status quo for electric vehicles.?
Orion Assembly will receive about $160 million for re-tooling and other upgrades necessary to build the all-electric Bolt. The plant now builds the compact Chevrolet Sonic and Buick Verano.
‘Orion Township is excited to continue our relationship with General Motors and its suppliers. We thank General Motors for its continued support and investment in Orion Township, said township Supervisor Chris Barnett. ‘This is just one example of how Orion Township works with business owners to make our community attractive for their investment.?
Orion Township partnered with GM by approving property tax abatements for the automaker.
Leveraging the battery technology found in the Chevrolet Volt and Spark EV, the Bolt EV concept was developed for what GM says is a game-changing, long-range pure electric car. It is expected to offer an estimated 200 miles of range at a target price of around $30,000.
The vehicle features selectable driving modes for different driving styles, such as daily commuting. It was designed to support DC fast charging. GM also produces an electric vehicle called Spark but it is sold only in California and Oregon. The Bolt would be sold in all 50 states.
GM has hopes to sell between 25,000 to 30,000 Bolts in the first year. Sales last year of the hybrid Volt were about 18,000. If the GM estimates are close to reality, the vehicle could challenge the Tesla electric models in some markets.
In addition to the $160 million scheduled to provide the upgrades to Orion Assembly, Pontiac Metal Center will receive $40 million for new dies for the vehicles.
‘As one of the most environmentally progressive facilities in GM’s global network, Orion Assembly is uniquely suited to build this game-changing electric vehicle,? said Doug Hanly, Orion Assembly and Pontiac Metal Center plant manager. ‘In partnership with UAW Locals 5960 and 653, we’re committed to building the highest level of quality into it.?
Orion Assembly is unique in other ways. The facility is powered by gas from two nearby landfills, which saves more than 6,300 tons of CO2’from entering the atmosphere annually. It is also home to a 350-kilowatt solar array that produces the energy equivalent to power 165 homes and sends enough energy back to the grid to power about 45 homes.
‘This is very exciting for our members who were facing the possibility of losing that plant during the auto crisis,? said UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada, director of the union’s GM Department. ‘Our members are also proud to have their plant chosen to produce what is sure to be another popular and dynamic Chevy product rolling off the line at the Orion Assembly Plant.?
Orion Assembly has about 1,300 hourly employees and 159 salaried workers.