The phrase "compliance car" is generally used to refer only to low-range, lower-priced cars sold only because California forced them to. The Bolt has a much longer range and is higher priced than GM's previous compliance cars.
The Bolt is probably better then other compliance cars because they can see the future as well. Also who would buy those even lower range cars now that there is more competition.
This does more harm than good.
Just because the current 'compliance car' and the Bolt are not the same does not mean its not for many of the same reasons.
They did built the Bolt to be able to comply with regulation EVEN while the Bolt itself is losing money per car.