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I don't think you can go from 1,000 cars/month to 40,000 cars/month in a few quarters. 40k/month is the number pointed at by Model 3 reservations. LG Chem appar
by greglindahl 9y ago
I don't think you can go from 1,000 cars/month to 40,000 cars/month in a few quarters. 40k/month is the number pointed at by Model 3 reservations. LG Chem apparently does have a big ramp of their battery factory in progress, but with cars like the GM Bolt selling well under their 30,000/year minimum target... GM's got headroom, no evidence of demand for what they're selling, and no sign that they could hit it out of the ballpark this year.
Personally, I'd love it if GM would hit it out of the ballpark. More likely that they aren't even going to hit the minimum.
- cmrdporcupine 9y agoThey are apparently losing $7400 on each Bolt. So they've kept the production numbers low. It's a halo car and a cautious test of demand, and something to have in their backpocket in case consumer demand warrants it, battery production on scale becomes feasible, or a gov't forces its via regulation. I think there are likely warring divisions within GM, too. See: https://cleantechnica.com/2017/05/20/ubs-chevy-bolt-drivetrain-4600-cheaper-thought-tesla-model-3-likely-profitable/ https://cleantechnica.com/2017/05/20/ubs-chevy-bolt-drivetra...
- cmrdporcupine 9y agoOh, and as for 1000 to 40000 in a few quarters, a company like GM absolutely can. They have decades of experience in mass manufacturing. The limitation as far as I can see it will be battery supplies.
- greglindahl 9y agoI was referring to battery production scaling, sorry that wasn't obvious.