Chevrolet now oversees BrightDrop electric vehicles under a branding shift
In a significant move, General Motors Co. has announced that the electric BrightDrop commercial vans will now be sold under the Chevrolet brand name, effective from 2023. This decision was announced in a press release on August 29, 2022.
Initially, BrightDrop was intended to operate independently as a wholly owned subsidiary of GM, focusing on the development of commercial electric vehicles (EVs) and expanding its logistics business offerings. However, in November 2023, GM announced that BrightDrop would become part of its commercial products and services unit, Envolve. This integration aims to bring together the automaker's digital offerings to BrightDrop customers.
The BrightDrop electric vans, the Zevo 400 and the Zevo 600, are built on GM's Ultium EV platform and are estimated to have an combined city and highway driving range of 272 miles. These vans are manufactured at GM's CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario.
Kristian Aquilina, GM Canada President, commented on this branding evolution, stating that it is a testament to the potential GM and Chevrolet see for BrightDrop in the electric fleet market. Sandor Piszar, vice president of GM Envolve, further added that the integration into the Chevrolet portfolio will expand BrightDrop's reach and accessibility.
This move strengthens Chevrolet's EV offerings and reaffirms its role as a leading commercial brand that enables businesses to get work done. It also makes it more convenient for commercial customers to access sales, service, and maintenance needs at Chevrolet dealers. Participating dealers can maintain and service BrightDrop EVs, creating an opportunity for additional revenue.
BrightDrop's customers include notable names such as FedEx, Ryder, and DHL. Envolve, on the other hand, serves thousands of commercial and government customers, according to GM.
BrightDrop was launched by GM in January 2021 with the goal of developing commercial EVs for logistics purposes and to help companies decarbonize their fleet operations. The vans are built with advanced EV technology and the dependability that only Chevrolet can offer.
This strategic shift is reminiscent of Ford Motor Co.'s new business unit, Ford Pro. The integration of BrightDrop into Chevrolet is aimed at making it more accessible and convenient for commercial customers, further solidifying Chevrolet's position in the electric fleet market. All Chevrolet dealers will have the opportunity to sell BrightDrop vans, provided they meet GM's commercial EV requirements and become certified.
This move is expected to have a significant impact on the electric commercial vehicle market, as Chevrolet dealers across the country prepare to offer the BrightDrop electric vans to their customers.
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