Chevy ends stop sale on Blazer EV, lowers pricing on the SUV

Chevrolet is taking its all-electric Blazer off a stop sale Friday after halting sales of the new SUV for more than two months while fixing a software issue.

In a statement, Chevrolet said it "made significant software updates that will improve features and functionality to deliver on the high expectations of our customers. We’re confident these improvements will address concerns heard from some early owners and as promised, we’re carrying learnings over to other products in GM’s lineup."

The General Motors Co. bowtie brand also announced Friday it's lowering the price of the Blazer EV by several thousand dollars. On top of that, the Blazer will now be eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles.

“We are excited to have the Chevrolet Blazer EV available again, this time with a compelling price, enhanced features and functionality and qualifying for the full consumer tax credit," said Chevrolet Vice President Scott Bell in a statement.

Chevy's updated pricing on 2024 Blazer EV models is as follows:

• Blazer EV LT all-wheel drive: $50,195, down from $56,715
• Blazer EV RS all-wheel drive: $54,595, down from $60,215
• Blazer EV RS rear-wheel drive: $56,170, down from $61,790

GM also will have an entry-level LT front-wheel drive model that will start under $50,000. Chevy will release final pricing for this and other remaining models (RS FWD, SS) closer to when they go on sale.

Lowering the price of the Blazer was "really something they absolutely needed to do because the pricing on this vehicle was just not competitive," said Sam Abuelsamid, principal e-mobility analyst at market research firm Guidehouse Inc.

GM's decision to cut the Blazer's price tag follows moves by rivals. Ford in February cut thousands of dollars off the price of its all-electric 2023 Mustang Mach-E SUV since the vehicle lost eligibility for the federal government's tax credit. And Nissan cut the price of its Ariya EV by as much as $6,000.

"Even without the price cuts from the competition, it was too expensive because it was right on top of the pricing for the Cadillac Lyriq," which starts at $58,590, Abuelsamid said.

Chevy in late December issued the stop sale on the Blazer EV, which is built at its Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico. It paused sales after “a limited number” of Blazer EV owners experienced software issues.

On GM's earnings call earlier this year, CEO Mary Barra told analysts its software team was "in the process of resolving the stability issues some customers have experienced with the Chevrolet Blazer EV that impacted their screens and charging experience, and they are working with a huge sense of urgency to lift the stop sale soon. We disappointed these customers, and we know it. We are determined to get the software right, and we will."

GM had also placed its midsize internal combustion engine trucks on a brief stop sale in February for a software issue that has since be lifted. GM issued the pause on sales of the new GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado midsize pickups after identifying software issues during validation.

In a statement, GM spokesperson Stuart Fowle said: "Learnings from Blazer EV helped us pause 2024 midsize truck sales before any were with customers and we were able to move quicker on turning sales back on."

khall@detroitnews.com

@bykaleahall