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Exclusive: GM to replace all battery modules in some Chevy Bolts to mitigate fire risk


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Bolt owners there is more good news in the full article.

Excerpt:

"Hopefully writing the final chapter in the battery-related Bolt Fire saga, GM is set to start replacing all modules in some Chevy Bolt EV Batteries within weeks. Electrek had an exclusive sit-down with a spokesperson from GM to get some details on the upcoming program.

For those just tuning in, this is the result of more than a dozen battery-related Chevy Bolt fires in a little more than a year, and four in July of this year alone. Last year in November GM issued the first recall notice, telling owners to only charge their vehicles to 90%, and provided a software update shortly after that enforced that restriction. For many months things were quiet until late April when the “final” software update fix was announced, followed quickly by another fire. This software update was supposed to identify the conditions that could lead to a fire and provide sufficient notice to have the modules replaced before a fire could occur. However, after two fires in early July GM admitted that their software fix did not work, and proceeded to initiate a second recall. This one told owners to not park indoors, and not charge unattended. Then on July 25th another two fires occurred. GM is still investigating these and has declined to comment at this time.

Bad year for LG and GM

This has not been a good PR year for GM or LG, who provides the batteries for the Chevy Bolt. While GM has been pushing towards an all-electric future, the Bolt owners who have been supporting GM on this journey have felt left out with no information while more fires have been reported. Some have received buy-backs or replacement Bolts, while some fire victims are still making car payments.

Earlier this year Hyundai had to recall 82,000 Kona EV, Ioniq, and Elec City buses to replace their LG batteries. The South Korean government determined that LG was responsible for the battery fires, due to badly folded battery tabs. LG denied this finding, instead blaming Hyundai’s charging profiles. Interestingly LG was said to have to pay 70% of the bill in that case.

GM recently announced an $800 million write-down in Q2 for the Bolt battery warranty replacements, causing their shares to drop nearly 8%. LG recently announced around a $200 million write-down in Q2 for the same reason, cutting their profit outlook by 21%. It’s important to note that this was before the second recall was announced. While these numbers are preliminary, and there are more quarters ahead, it’s interesting that GM is seemingly expecting to foot the majority of the cost. Also of note, LG and GM are still partnering for the Ultium battery plant and platform.

In December LG announced a US recall for some of their home battery systems. Again in March for Australia. Finally, in May, they announced a worldwide free replacement program for any units made between April 2017 and September 2018. Then just a couple of weeks ago, announced a US recall after 5 fires. There’s a class action lawsuit against LG launched a couple of months ago, alleging a systemic battery production problem.

GM announced that there were not one, but two “rare manufacturing defects” found during LG’s manufacturing of the Bolt cells. It’s hard to see how this couldn’t be a systemic problem with LG batteries, or at least terrible quality control on LG’s part."

https://electrek.co/2021/08/16/exclusive-gm-to-replace-all-battery-modules-in-some-bolts-to-avoid-chevy-bolt-fires/

 

 

RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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Highest priced recall of an American made car in history. 800 million, $11,200 per Bolt. I think they are giving the owners an 100,000 miles and maybe 8 years. Personally, if I owned one I'd like what VW did with their cheating software, buy back or pay me off and they are off the hook. If the warranty becomes an issue that GM is giving, the price would certainly go higher.

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Yep and the Bolt was designed and made by LG which are the initials for "Lucky Goldstar" a name suited for Asian Consumers but not western nations. You may remember the cheap TVs and VCRs made under their first US Name Goldstar. They wanted to get a better imnage so rebranded themselves LG.

They make up modules in Korea then ship them to the GM Orion plant for final assembly. Or at least they did in 2017 when they first were manufactured.

 

RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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Well the Bolt situation just got worse. Evidently, a couple of weeks ago, a 2020 Bolt burnt up. So now all 2017- 2020, not sure about the 2021, will be recalled world wide at the tune of 1 billion bucks. If I was a Bolt owner, I'd really like a buy back at fair market value. Or better yet GM buy them back, and crush them. 

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