General Motors increases Michigan plant shutdown over Bolt EV recall

General Motors said on Thursday it will increase the shutdown of a Michigan assembly plant by two weeks following the new recall of its Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles over battery issues.

The automaker said the extension of the production halt at its Orion Assembly plant will go through at least September 24.

It was “a result of a battery pack shortage” associated with the recall that followed reports of 10 battery fires. The automaker said it will not restart Bolt production or sales until it is satisfied that the recall remedy will address the fire risk concern.

Separately, the automaker said all of its full-size truck and full-size SUV plants in North America will be operating at full production next week.

GM’s Ft. Wayne Assembly and Silao Assembly plants will restart their production on Monday after the automaker had to reduce production this week because of the chip shortage.

The automaker said it will increase shutdowns for one week at Lansing Delta Township and Wentzville, along with an extra week of Chevrolet Blazer production downtime at Ramos in Mexico.