Wave of EV Cancellations Sweeps U.S. Automakers

In the two-year span from mid-2023 to late-2025, a series of high-profile electric-vehicle (EV) programs were either delayed or terminated by major U.S. manufacturers. Ford abandoned its long-range SUV unveiled in May 2023, General Motors postponed a Buick EV SUV in July 2024, Volvo trimmed its U.S. all-electric rollout in September 2024, Dodge scrapped a battery-powered Charger and EV Ram pickup in 2025, and Honda, Nissan, Acura and Chevrolet followed with similar cancellations. The rapid succession of decisions left industry observers scrambling to track the fallout.

New York Times

When Ford introduced the new SUV, the EV market had just surged from roughly 490,000 U.S. sales in 2021 to more than 800,000 in 2022—a 60 percent increase driven by federal charging-infrastructure funding and a $7,500 consumer tax credit. Analysts argued the United States was entering the “second phase” of the technology adoption S-curve, where early enthusiasm would translate into mass adoption.

New York Times

Ford’s chief financial officer John Lawler told reporters that profitability dictated the decision: “These vehicles need to be profitable. If they’re not profitable, based on where the customer is and the market is, we will pivot and adjust and make those tough decisions.” The company first pushed the SUV’s launch back by two years in April 2024, citing emerging battery technology, before confirming its cancellation in August 2024.

New York Times

Commentators note that the cascade of cancellations contradicts earlier forecasts of robust demand. The abrupt removal of Chevrolet’s BrightDrop van—praised by MotorTrend for a “cavernous” cargo hold and “supple” pedal feel—underscores concerns that manufacturers cannot reconcile high development costs with current market pricing. Critics argue that reliance on federal incentives and optimistic sales projections may have masked underlying financial risks.

New York Times

• “It’s beautiful,” — Doug Field, head of Ford’s EV unit

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• “And it’s unlike anything else in the segment so far.” — Doug Field

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• “personal bullet train,” — Doug Field (description of the SUV)

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• “These vehicles need to be profitable,” — John Lawler, Ford CFO

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• “cavernous,” — MotorTrend review of Chevrolet BrightDrop

New York Times

• “The cargo hold of the vehicle was “cavernous,” the magazine’s writers noted approvingly, and the pedal feel supple.” — MotorTrend review of Chevrolet BrightDrop

New York Times

• “looking out of a giant terrarium.” — MotorTrend review of Chevrolet BrightDrop

New York Times