Chevy Volt production to pause in June, July

In an effort to deal with slow sales and with the change to an all-new version of the gas-electric hybrid car, automaker General Motors will stop making the Chevrolet Volt for four weeks in June and July.

GM says the Detroit-Hamtramck, Mich. plant that makes the Volt and four other cars will probably stay open through the summer despite plans for the Volt. The factory also is undergoing construction so it can build a new full-size Cadillac CT6 and the 2016 Volt starting late in the summer.

Sales of electric and hybrid cars have slowed this year, largely due to low gasoline prices – a development that has hindered Volt sales and caused inventory to build on dealer lots. Through March, GM sold only 1,874 Volts, down 48 per cent from a year ago. The company now has enough Volts to supply dealers for 210 days, according to market analyst Ward’s Automotive.

Volt production will cease in the weeks before the traditional two-week auto plant shutdown over the July 4 holiday. The high inventory of Volts is not the only factor in the production cuts, according to GM spokeswoman Michelle Malcho. The plant construction, engineering changes and pre-production plans for the new Volt and CT6 all were part of the decision, she said.