GM Shifts Cruise Focus to Chevrolet Bolt, Halts Origin Development

General Motors' Cruise self-driving branch is postponing its Origin vehicle project without steering wheels, focusing instead on upgrading the Chevrolet Bolt EV. This pivot aims to avoid regulatory hurdles. Despite setbacks, including a pedestrian accident and financial losses, GM continues to see future potential for autonomous vehicles.

General Motors' Cruise self-driving unit will focus on developing a next-generation Chevrolet Bolt, indefinitely delaying its Origin vehicle with no steering wheel, the automaker announced on Tuesday.

GM's 2022 petition to deploy 2,500 self-driving Origin vehicles annually without human controls remains unaddressed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Instead, GM will use a conventional next-generation Bolt EV for its Cruise robotaxi, avoiding regulatory approval. "I believe the Origin still has future potential," said GM CEO Mary Barra.

In November, GM halted Origin production, resulting in a $583 million charge. Cruise faces multiple investigations following an accident in October. Former CEO Kyle Vogt criticized GM for abandoning the Origin project, likening it to GM's loss in the early EV market of the 1990s. Despite challenges, including significant financial losses, GM continues testing robotaxis in three cities and aspires for $50 billion annual revenue by 2030.

(With inputs from agencies.)