„Ich hoffe nur, dass wir wieder auf die Beine kommen“: Die preisgekrönte EV-Lkw-Fabrik von GM steht wieder still

EV manufacturing is brutally capital intensive, and it’s still riding on a pretty unstable stack — batteries, rare earth supply chains, charging infrastructure rollout, software integration, regulatory shifts. When any one layer wobbles, the factory floor feels it immediately.

What stands out to me is how different EV production is compared to legacy ICE manufacturing. A modern EV plant isn’t just stamping and assembly — it’s battery module lines, thermal systems, high-voltage safety protocols, massive software validation cycles. If demand projections shift or battery supply tightens, you can’t just “pivot” overnight. The tooling and logistics are too specialized.

I do think part of what we’re seeing across the industry is over-optimistic ramp assumptions from 2021–2023. Automakers planned for exponential adoption curves, but consumer behavior tends to move in waves, not straight lines. Charging reliability, resale value concerns, and price sensitivity still matter more than press releases.

That said, temporary shutdowns don’t necessarily mean strategic retreat. In heavy industry, “dark” often just means recalibration — inventory correction, retooling, or waiting on upstream constraints. The bigger question is whether companies can smooth production cycles without burning workforce trust every time demand softens.

The EV transition is still happening, but it’s clearly not going to be linear. The companies that survive this phase will probably be the ones that treat manufacturing flexibility and software maturity as core engineering problems — not just marketing milestones.

It’s a shame. GM didn’t really target the right people who would buy electric. They really needed to make an electric Yukon Denali 3500 iXLT Platinum 6×6 Harley Davidson Edition, just something an everyday person commuter would need. The $190k electric suv segment is wide open.

THEY START AT $70K FOR A TRUCK. I could buy a used Ridgeline for $5k that will last forever. If I had $5k.

It seems like we’re already in the American century of humiliation with just about every sector of the US economy and government throwing the game to China while chasing short term profits.

Should have made something low cost, simple, compact truck like the old S10 in the 90s that’s affordable to most truck users budget.

The problem with the trucks is that once you hook up a trailer the range is cut by up to half which turns away most buyers.

How about this…
Start with a base EV pickup with a full sized bed.
Comes with heat & AC & Cruise. Single screen on dash with access to ALL diagnostics and allows Android or iPhone directions and music.
No power seats or power windows or power mirrors, etc.
Upgrades are home battery integration, 4×4, and larger cab models.

Get the CD as low as possible and get the range above 300 miles.

Keep the price down and watch them sell.

Once successful add a van to the line.

American car makers (and some others like Honda too) don’t really seem to WANT to build an EV.

So they get dragged into making one, they make poorly thought out decisions when they build them, then when those aren’t an immediate success, they throw up their hands and say „well, guess NO ONE wants an EV!!!!“ and bail.

“Hope” is no substitute for good management decisions.

Gimme a gosh-darn subaru outback EV or Toyota Camry Station Wagon with 300+ miles of range and doesn’t look like a friggin Ford Flex. SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!

When I was shopping for a car I was looking at the Blazer SS EV and no one actually wanted to sell me the car. They seemed annoyed that I was even looking at it. So not really surprised that GM doesn’t really seem to care.