Korea Bolt EV Launch
GM Korea Co., the South Korean unit of U.S. automaker General Motors Co., participated in the 2016 Korea Electronics Show (KES) at COEX, Seoul, on Oct. 26, and announced its plan to launch the Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle (EV) in the South Korean market in the first half of next year.
The Bolt EV, which is developed by Chevrolet in partnership with LG, is a long-range electric vehicle that provides a range of more than 383 kilometers (238 miles), which would nearly allow the model to drive from Seoul to Busan on a single charge. The Bolt's range was recently determined in testing by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The all-electric subcompact car will also feature connectivity and infotainment technologies, seamlessly integrating smartphones and other electric devices with the vehicle. A GM Korea official said detailed information and the price will be announced near the start of sales next year.
At the GM Mobility Forum event during the 2016 KES on the same day, GM Korea CEO and President James Kim and GM International Vice President of Planning and Program Management Lowell Paddock shared their perspectives on the present and future of the global vehicle market and introduced the overview of recent developments of Chevrolet’s EVs.
LG Electronics is supplying 11 core components, including driving motor, to GM, taking part in the development of its next-generation Bolt EV as a whole. Lee Woo-jong, president of the LG Electronics Vehicle Components (VC) Company, said, “I took the Bolt EV for a test drive in person at the GM headquarters in the U.S. last year, and it gave me confidence that the car would be a "game changer." The strategic partnership model between GM and LG Electronics is a true partnership that the two companies decide on the whole process of designing, development, inspection and even pricing together, and the Bolt EV is the successful model.”