---
title: "GM Builds 150 Next-Generation Self-Driving Chevrolet Bolt EVs at Orion Assembly Plant"
description: "This is the first set of autonomous vehicles built on the assembly line of a mass-production facility."
date: "2017-06-13"
modified: "2017-06-13"
authors:
  - name: "Max Goldberg"
    job_title: "Associate Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/max-goldberg"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/11454/gm-builds-150-next-generation-self-driving-chevrolet-bolt-evs-at-orion-assembly-plant"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Autonomous Cars"
  - "Bolt"
  - "Bolt EV"
  - "Chevrolet"
  - "compact"
  - "Cruise Automation"
  - "Electric Vehicle"
  - "Hatchback"
---

# GM Builds 150 Next-Generation Self-Driving Chevrolet Bolt EVs at Orion Assembly Plant

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/06/chevyboltev-hero.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Many automotive manufacturers are racing to create self-driving cars, but GM can now claim to stand out ahead of the pack in at least one key respect: General Motors is the first automotive manufacturer to build a significant number of autonomous vehicles in a mass-production facility. Using the Orion, Michigan Assembly Plant, GM has built 130 next-generation autonomous [Bolt EVs](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/9669/chevrolet-bolt-ev-owners-have-already-traveled-4570300-miles>) for testing in various markets, [the company announced in a press release on Tuesday](<https://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/home.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2017/jun/0613-boltev.html>).

The 130 new autonomous Bolt EVs will be tested in San Francisco, Scottsdale, and Detroit, to explore various driving environments. The Bolt EV stands as a solid platform for autonomous vehicles, as the vehicle has a 255-mile range in the city and has a comparatively simple drivetrain compared to traditional gas-powered cars.

The next-generation autonomous vehicle technology built into the new Bolts includes [LIDAR](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/9606/waymo-claims-uber-hid-lidar-sensors-based-on-its-tech>), cameras, sensors, and other hardware necessary to ensure safe operation at all times. GM and its Cruise Automation division will have a total autonomous fleet size of [180 Chevy Bolt EVs](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/9562/watch-an-autonomous-chevy-bolt-drive-itself-around-at-night>)—testing with which began back in June of 2016.

## Author
Before working at *The Drive*, Max Goldberg raced the streets of Westchester in an ambulance as a licensed Emergency Medical Technician. He has boundless enthusiasm.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/maxems>)