GM to Halt Volt Production to Cut Inventory, Retool

General Motors Co. will end production of its $34,200 Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric sedan in June as it retools to build the redesigned next-generation model.

The four-week suspension at GM's factory in Hamtramck, Mich., also will give dealers a chance to sell off bloated inventories of the original Volt. Supplies have swollen to 210 days, 3.5 times the 60-day norm.

GM introduced the Volt in 2010, predicting annual volume of at least 40,000 units. Demand peaked in 2012 at 23,500 cars. Two price cuts sustained sales in 2013, but deliveries dropped 19% to 18,800 vehicles last year, then plunged 48% to 1,900 in the first quarter of 2015, according to Autodata Corp.

The second-generation Volt offers a zoomier exterior, more room inside and a bump in its battery-only range to 50 miles from 38 miles for the current model. The car also will be equipped with a significantly redesigned powertrain.

The Hamtramck plant is expected to continue making the Opel Ampere a Volt variant sold in Europe, and the Cadillac ELR extended-range electric coupe. The factory also builds the conventionally powered Chevrolet Impala and Malibu. Those cars will be joined by the Cadillac CT6 large luxury sedan later this year.