Production of the Chevrolet Volt will be suspended in May to reduce stockpiles in the U.S. and pave the way for the next-generation Volt starting this summer.
A GM spokeswoman, Michelle Malcho, said the production hiatus is a result of a “multitude of factors,” such as lower-than-expected sales, factory renovations, and engineering changes.
According to the Automotive News Data Center, U.S. dealers had 5,400 Volts in their lots on April 1st — enough to last 211 days at the car’s current sale pace. Deliveries have dropped 48% since the start of 2015.
The all-new 2016 Chevrolet Volt made its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this year. It features a 1.5L engine-generator, offers up to 80 kilometres of range in EV mode, accelerates more rapidly, and achieves a combined 5.7L/100km. Sales will begin in the second half of 2015.