Chevy Axes Entry-Level Blazer EV - For Now

The General is set to launch several new electric vehicles this year, including the Blazer EV. When the model was first announced, it was indicated there would be an entry-level trim called the 1LT checking in at around $45,000. Fresh information tells us that’s no longer the case, at least for now.

A press release from GM talking about the new Blazer EV listed numerous trims but eagle eyes quickly spotted the lack of a 1LT option. Reaching out to the company, outlets were told the 2LT is now Blazer EV’s entry-level trim, notably with expensive all-wheel drive.

“We do have more affordable variants coming in 2024, including 2LT with FWD,” one spox is quoted as saying.

At present, there are two priced trims listed on the customer-facing Chevrolet website: 2LT and RS costing $56,715 and $60,215, respectively. Those two machines have been rated by the EPA as able to travel 279 miles on a full battery and have all-wheel drive. Next year’s SS has yet to receive a Monroney figure. 

In a market defined by skyrocketing average transaction prices and a seeming return to pre-pandemic inventory levels, this isn’t the best news – for consumers or dealers. It’s worth remembering whilst reading stupidly bombastic headlines about soaring inventory levels that the last three years have been marked by historic events and it used to be the norm, not the exception, for dealers to have yaffles of cars on hand. Sure, metrics for unsold vehicles are very high as a percentage compared to last year but it’s worth remembering the world is generally comprised are lies, damn lies, and statistics. After all, this author could claim he’s tripled the amount of money in his bank account – but I’d still only have six dollars.

Automakers (and not just GM) binning lower-priced trims in favor of profit-lined top models may have worked in the past but there is surely some sort of ceiling to all this, especially with rising interest rates putting an extra squeeze on things. In any event, it seems the least expensive Blazer EV available for purchase in this calendar year will cost $56,715 when the 2LT goes on sale later this autumn.

[Image: Chevrolet]

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