GM to end production of its Chevy Brightdrop electric vans

GM is ending production of its Chevy Brightdrop electric vans due to slowing demand in the EV market. The decision was made by CEO Mary Barra, who cited the slower-than-expected development of the commercial electric van market and changes to the regulatory framework, including the disappearance of the federal EV tax credit and commercial EV rebate. The Brightdrop vans were too expensive for most consumers, with a starting price of $74,000 that was brought down to $59,000 with the now-expired credits and rebates. This made them less competitive compared to rival Ford's E-Transit van, which starts at $51,600. GM had launched the Brightdrop vans in 2021, aiming to capture the commercial EV market. The company developed its own fleet management software and secured deals with companies like Walmart and FedEx. However, the loss of the financial incentives has made the Brightdrop vans unaffordable for many commercial customers.