Car companies have been scrambling to release EVs to join the fast-growing market, although it looks like some models need a bit more fine-tuning before they should be released. Such is the situation with GM's Chevy Blazer, leading to a pause in sales.
Chevy Blazers are Off the Market
For now, the auto giant will not be selling the electric SUV to fix some major problems that cannot simply be overlooked. The company has not disclosed the number of vehicles affected by the flaw, only that there was a "limited" number of them.
The two main issues that GM is currently trying to fix is the vehicle's infotainment system, which spontaneously stops working with select users. The other is that the Chevy Blazer has problems with charging, specifically that it won't at all, as reported by The Verge.
While drivers can work with the infotainment system issue as the vehicle can still be used without them, having a car that won't charge means that it won't be of much use to customers, which beats the purpose of the purchase of up to $42,800.
Chevrolet Communications Executive Director, Chad Lyons stated that their team is "working quickly to roll out a fix, and owners will be contacted with further information on how to schedule their update."
The Vice President of the brand, on the other hand, was the one to officially announce that there would be a brief pause on deliveries, stating that they were aware of the limited number of customers who were experiencing "software-related quality issues" with the EV.
One tester who tried the car out for two months found 23 fault codes on a diagnostic test, and said that it was the single longest list of major faults that they saw in a new car. Another finished their one-week test after a little over a day due to the two mentioned issues.
GM Dropping Support for Android Auto, Apple CarPlay
The issue with the infotainment system might stem from the fact that General Motors intends to cut support for two major smartphone mirroring systems. The change was first announced back in late March, and it will apply to 2024 models.
General Motors' main goal was to integrate Google Maps, Google Assistant, Audible, Spotify, and other apps natively into its infotainment system, eliminating the need for a third-party service. According to Ars Technica, the automaker will be using its Ultifi software platform.
The Chevy Blazer 2024 is the first EV that will not be supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto anymore, which probably explains why some testers found themselves with a blank infotainment system when attempting to use both.
Other EVs that will adopt a more native system include the Chevrolet Equinox EV and the 2024 Cadillac Celestiq. This shift is part of GM's way of gearing up for an all-EV future for the company, which they intend to accomplish by 2035.
It makes sense from a business standpoint. The company will be getting more revenue from a subscription service, especially if GM vehicle owners have no choice but to use them since other services are no longer supported.
