General Motors faced more software issues across its lineup, forcing it on Monday to issue the second stop-sale order on its vehicles in the past three months. But the automaker was able to find a quick solution in the latest case.
The halt affects all 2024 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon midsize trucks. On Tuesday, GM spokesman Kevin Kelly told the Detroit Free Press that the halt was to address “intermittent software quality issues” and that “a fix has been identified and implemented in “The vehicles began shipping to dealers yesterday. We anticipate this suspension will be lifted soon so we can begin delivering vehicles to customers as quickly as possible.”
Kelly declined to be more specific about when GM would lift the stop-sale order beyond “soon.”
This latest software glitch follows an order to halt sales of 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EVs in December until GM can find a solution to owner-reported software issues that include intermittent issues with in-car displays and problems using DC fast charging. GM, which began shipping Blazer EVs to dealers in July 2023, was still working on the fix.
Last week, the Free Press first reported that GM had a large number of 2024 midsize pickups parked near the Wentzville Assembly Plant in Missouri, where it manufactures them. The vans were there because the vehicles had a software glitch and couldn't be sold.
“We are disappointed to choose to pause sales, but we are committed to quality and the customer experience, so software updates will continue to be part of the process as our vehicles become more technologically advanced,” Kelly said late Monday.
He added that GM has a software leadership team that is “working urgently to address any short-term issues.”
GM's long-term plan includes “revamping the software development process and, more importantly, the validation process,” Kelly said.
The stop-sale order did not hinder production at Wentzville Assembly, which also builds GM cargo trucks. GM stopped building the trucks after a fire at a supplier last fall led to the initial unavailability of the metal tires used on the trucks. GM has resumed truck production at a reduced rate and expects to return to normal within a few weeks, Kelly said.
There has been no impact on production of midsize pickups due to the discontinuation of sales, and stored vehicles will undergo a thorough cleaning and verification process before being shipped to dealers, Kelly said.
CEO Mary Barra spoke last Thursday at the Wolfe Research Global Auto and Auto Tech conference in New York and said she has had some regrets since last year, including fixing glitches in new in-car software. Barra said she regrets not hiring GM's new software team sooner.
“I wish I had brought the team we have now, earlier,” Parra said. GM hired former Apple CEO Mike Abbott in May 2023. “Mike Abbott brought in a great team: people hired from Google, from Apple, from Meta and a lot of technology companies. We really revamped the software development process and, more importantly, the Validation.
Once GM implements this process with every future vehicle, the program will “exceed customer expectations” and set GM apart from competitors, Barra promised. No further details were provided.
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