Chevrolet, a brand under General Motors (GM), is embarking on a nationwide tour to educate its dealers about electric vehicles (EVs). As consumer interest in EVs continues to rise, these training workshops are to equip dealership staff with essential knowledge about the technology.
The EV training program will take place across five U.S. states throughout the summer and fall, with an expected attendance of around 7,000 dealership employees. Michael MacPhee, Director of Sales Operations at Chevy, emphasized the importance of this initiative, noting that while live drive events have occurred in the past, this is the first tour specifically meant on EVs.
Key Objectives of the Workshops
The training sessions aim to achieve two main goals: dispelling common misconceptions about electric vehicles and allowing dealers to experience various EVs from both GM and other automakers firsthand. Previous workshops have already been in Monticello, New York, Fort Worth, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia, with upcoming sessions planned for Las Vegas, Nevada, and Indianapolis, Indiana.
Chevy currently offers several electric models, including the Equinox crossover EV, the Blazer mid-size crossover EV, and the Silverado electric pickup. The company plans to expand its EV offerings, with a base trim for the Equinox EV starting at $34,995 and boasting a range of 319 miles. Additionally, a next-generation version of the Chevy Bolt is on the horizon.
Meeting Customer Needs
In August, 52% of Blazer EV buyers were new to the brand, coming from competitors such as Ford, Honda, Stellantis, and Toyota. MacPhee stated, “It’s 100 percent the goal behind the training tours: How do we grow our business to meet customers’ needs who have the interest and propensity to buy an electric vehicle?”
The workshops cover various topics, including charging infrastructure, EV range, GM’s cold-weather technology, and comparisons of ownership costs between electric and gas vehicles. MacPhee noted that the potential savings on fuel could resonate well with sales professionals, with savings easily reaching $100 a month or more for larger vehicles like the Silverado.
Despite facing production challenges with some of its EV models, GM means to invest approximately $390 million into a Kansas manufacturing facility for the next-generation Chevy Bolt EV, indicating a strong future for electric vehicles within the company.
