Chevy Menlo EV: GM transforms Bolt into attractive crossover; Sells it only in China

[nadepalma]

GM Turns Chevy Bolt Into Attractive Crossover And Then Only Sells It In China
Justin T. Westbrook
11/11/2019
jalopnik.com

There’s a new GM electric vehicle that graciously isn’t some horrible marketing rip-off of an iconic muscle car. It’s the new Chevrolet Menlo, a compact electric crossover perfect for the U.S. market that will only be sold in China for no good reason.

Chevy claims the Menlo has a range of 255 miles on the outdated NEDC testing cycle, which would likely leave it closer to a much more reasonable near-200-mile range based on European WLTP or American EPA standards, which is still fine for a cheap compact EV.

It features unique and much more athletic styling compared to its awkward American hatchback cousin, the Bolt, and its low wagon-like design reminds me mostly of the Kia Niro EV, which was an all-around fine vehicle that felt more like a mini-wagon in person than the potentially larger crossover it appears to be in pictures. I suspect it’s the same case for the Menlo.

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Images courtesy of, and credited to, jalopnik.com

[eaton53]

Yep it's a CUV, all right.

[Neanderthal]

I can’t see any good reason why an all-wheel drive (it’s not clear if the China model is all-wheel drive, but one assumes it would be possible), 200-mile range compact crossover like the Menlo wouldn’t be the perfect antidote to the aging Bolt and imminent Tesla Model Y. Yet again, GM and Chevy’s actions are inexplicable.

Inexplicable if you don't understand that zerozerozeromary and friends see Chyyynnnaaa!! as The Future and norff amurrica as The Past; a bunch of sub-primates, farmers, unskilled laborers, midwestern and y'all southern hicks, and other non-In-Crowd pointy-head university types who drive pickuptrucks, often have several teeth, a shotgun in the raafl raak and a 12-pack on the floor, numerous barroom brawl scars, tattoos covering their arms, and are otherwise not Advanced Species like the communists of china.

China is The Future, GM is going to make zillions soaking that market with cool 'lektriks, and Chairman Mao will in no way interfere, steal technology, and do the mean things that Orange Man so cruelly and unfairly accuses them of. As they like to say at GM, just you wait!

[Self Reliance]

I'm not sure I can call that frontend attractive, maybe I need to see it in person, but being a crossover it would have sold more than the Bolt.

畅巡 (Chàng xún) means Smooth tour.

I can’t see any good reason why an all-wheel drive (it’s not clear if the China model is all-wheel drive, but one assumes it would be possible), 200-mile range compact crossover like the Menlo wouldn’t be the perfect antidote to the aging Bolt and imminent Tesla Model Y. Yet again, GM and Chevy’s actions are inexplicable.

Ditto

Maybe it is still coming after all, China did get the crossover Trail Blazer one year before North America. We'll see.

[1958carnut]

I'm not sure I can call that frontend attractive, maybe I need to see it in person, but being a crossover it would have sold more than the Bolt.

畅巡 (Chàng xún) means Smooth tour.



Ditto

Maybe it is still coming after all, China did get the crossover Trail Blazer one year before North America. We'll see.

They there at GM keep saying, mother Mary as well, that more electric's are coming. It would be sweet if this was one of them. Maybe they could introduce it in Menlo Park, Ca.

[mbukukanyau]

One has to wonder why there is also not a second generation Bolt in the United States to coincide with this release. Something seriously wrong with GM leadership.

[tripowergto Jan2003]

One has to wonder why there is also not a second generation Bolt in the United States to coincide with this release. Something seriously wrong with GM leadership.

Perhaps GM wants to unleash their new monster profit FS SUV's before they offer any new electrics?

[BlackGTP]

that does have pleasing proportions!

[mbukukanyau]

Perhaps GM wants to unleash their new monster profit FS SUV's before they offer any new electrics?

When China generates next to nothing profits, why are they even investing over there?

[Cobaltss_King]

One has to wonder why there is also not a second generation Bolt in the United States to coincide with this release. Something seriously wrong with GM leadership.

The tech in the Bolt is old and expensive. Not smart for GM to sell a ton and expand when the next gen tech is already in development.

[Ed753]

When China generates next to nothing profits, why are they even investing over there?

To import them into the US and make even more money?

The tech in the Bolt is old and expensive. Not smart for GM to sell a ton and expand when the next gen tech is already in development.

"just wait"?

[sdotjeezy]

Ok...so this is an EV right with electric motors located at the axles? So why in the eff does it have 18" of front overhang as if there's an engine mounted forward of the front axle?

[mbukukanyau]

Ok...so this is an EV right with electric motors located at the axles? So why in the eff does it have 18" of front overhang as if there's an engine mounted forward of the front axle?

Its probably grafted onto a FWD platform

[Cobaltss_King]

To import them into the US and make even more money?




"just wait"?

What’s the rush. Charging infrastructure is still being built out and the new tech will be cheaper to build. The Bolt and Volt has always been pilot programs for GM. EVs produced on the new skateboard will share very little if anything with the Bolt. Coming out with models with very good range within the preferred body types is key. Not pushing out stuff just for the sake of it IE Ipace.

[eaton53]

The tech in the Bolt is old and expensive. Not smart for GM to sell a ton and expand when the next gen tech is already in development.

So it's just like every EV. In the EV world, one should expect obsolescence.

What’s the rush. Charging infrastructure is still being built out and the new tech will be cheaper to build. The Bolt and Volt has always been pilot programs for GM. EVs produced on the new skateboard will share very little if anything with the Bolt. Coming out with models with very good range within the preferred body types is key. Not pushing out stuff just for the sake of it IE Ipace.

Being last isn't the dumbest idea. The tax incentives are set up to reward laggards.
Too late for GM, though. They already used up all of their credits.