Gen 1 GM Volt Plug-In Hybrid (2011-2015)

[garygid]

Perhaps it is "If you are not proud of it, hide it"?

 

[evnow]

GM won't release CS mode mileage:

http://gm-volt.com/2010/07/29/chevy-volt-may-launch-without-official-epa-efficiency-label/

Probably gets nowhere near the 50 MPG number they have been throwing around, and they don't want to let the cat out of the bag... just like the Volt price, which they kept under wraps as long as possible.

Most people are now assuming 35 to 40 mpg.

 

[LeafHopper]

Edmunds says 37 mpg using gasoline only.

We've made further estimates on gasoline consumption in charge-sustaining mode because GM hasn't released specifics. Volt Chief Engineer Andrew Farah told us the "unadjusted" development target is 50 mpg in the so-called "FTP" city mileage test. But for our purposes we require EPA combined with the most recent 2008+ window sticker adjustments included because our own fuel economy testing has shown them to equate well to the real world. We have the conversion formulas, and 50 mpg city (raw unadjusted ftp) equates to 37 mpg city on a 2008+ window sticker.

 

[evnow]

How wrong can you get ?

Chevy Volt priced in the US: Cheaper than a Prius

http://crave.cnet.co.uk/cartech/chevy-volt-priced-in-the-us-cheaper-than-a-prius-50000137/

 

[JasonT]

green.autoblog.com just posted this video that GM has released, on what makes the Volt a better electric vehicle. I know I'm biased, but it ended up just making me laugh

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iPsvTEq0PQ[/youtube]

 

[AndyH]

One thing I will say - the new GM's marketing department is doing a better job with the Volt than their predecessors did with the EV1...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g7cgUm7o9k[/youtube]

 

[garygid]

To be fair, at least most of what they said is true.
A well-done PHEV will have many good points.

Obviously, they left out the possibly-negative details.

Perhaps it is a REEV, a Range Extended Electric Vehicle?

Similar to a Japanese "REAF"?

 

[evnow]

Breaking: GM to Increase 2012 Chevrolet Volt Production to 45,000 and Obama Drives a Volt

“Some of you saw me drive the Volt about 12 inches; they don’t let me drive much these days,” said Obama. “Pretty smooth.”

http://gm-volt.com/2010/07/30/breaking-gm-to-increase-2012-chevrolet-volt-production-to-45000/

 

[redLEAF]

Volt Advertising Likely to Go After Nissan's Leaf ...

No surprise, after reading through there is a link to a teaser Volt ad; emphasizes how quiet (appears to be traveling much faster than the pedestrian warning noise, of course only applies to the first 40 miles)

http://adage.com/article?article_id=145197

 

[sparky]

I'm fine with Volt ads doing comparisons with the LEAF but, I hope they also focus on the real enemy, the fuel hogs driven by most Americans.
I'd like both vehicles to be hugely successful.
I called a local GM dealer today to see about a test drive. He said he'd have one in about one month and he expects 11 cars by November. If I want to place an order, I can come in and put down $500 and get one of the first 11 (he has 3 $500 deposits so far).
Not gonna place an order but I definitely will want to test drive when the demo vehicle comes in.

 

[evnow]

If I want to place an order, I can come in and put down $500 and get one of the first 11 (he has 3 $500 deposits so far).

Did he ask for anything above MSRP ?

 

[sparky]

If I want to place an order, I can come in and put down $500 and get one of the first 11 (he has 3 $500 deposits so far).

Did he ask for anything above MSRP ?

Nope. I asked and he said they would be selling at sticker.
I'm a little surprised he didn't have a longer deposit list. Maybe most want to drive one first.

 

[KeiJidosha]

Hold on to your wallets;

http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencaradvisor/2010/08/think-41000-steep-for-a-chevy-volt-one-dealer-wants-20000-premium.html

 

[evnow]

Hold on to your wallets;

http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencaradvisor/2010/08/think-41000-steep-for-a-chevy-volt-one-dealer-wants-20000-premium.html

Moved to Volt thread.

Thank you for your online request, as you know the Volt is going to be a very limited production vehicle for the first 2-3 years. Demand is going to far exceed supply for this vehicle, initially our asking price for the Volt is going to be MSRP plus $20,000, we are expecting only receive 9 Volts all of next year. I will keep you in my customer base for when the Volt comes out and I will contact you with any information as I receive it. We are taking orders right now for the Volt, if you would like more information, please let me know and I will be more than happy to help you. Thank you.

 

[mwalsh]

Thank you for your online request, as you know the Volt is going to be a very limited production vehicle for the first 2-3 years. Demand is going to far exceed supply for this vehicle, initially our asking price for the Volt is going to be MSRP plus $20,000

GAK! :shock:

 

[AndyH]

Maybe the demand is real, maybe not.

What I DO know for sure is that the IMPRESSION of a shortage is a very powerful sales tool - it triggers Fear of Loss in the potential customer and significantly increases the desire to purchase. Exclusivity is another strong sales/manipulation tool.

One common use of this tactic is women's clothing. Notice how many stores only put a few items on the rack - not a full range of sizes? The potential customer pulls the size 0 dress off the rack and checks with the staff: "do you have this in a size 6?" Oh, I don't know - maybe...let me check in the back. The clerk goes in the back to a fully-stocked series of racks - they know they have the size! When the clerk leaves to go back, the customer starts to hope - I hope they have it...what if they don't... The customer wasn't 100% sure they wanted the dress until the wait got their fear of loss moving...

I'm not inside GM by any means, so can only comment on how it looks from out here. But knowing a little about sales techniques, and seeing that GM is using a number of different strategies to attack EVs on one hand while using sales tactics (like lack and exclusivity), it seems to me that maybe they're afraid that the car will fail or that maybe demand isn't as strong as they'd like. If folks really were beating down the doors for the Volt, GM wouldn't have to do much of any marketing.

 

[evnow]

http://gm-volt.com/2010/08/04/poll-how-rampant-is-chevy-volt-dealer-price-gouging/

A lot more than I'd have thought. More than 1/3rd say > $5,000 !

Poll: How Rampant is Chevy Volt Dealer Price Gouging?

My dealer said they will charge MSRP 11% (123 votes)

My dealer said they will charge up to $1000 to $2000 over MSRP 2% (20 votes)

My dealer said they will charge $2000 to $5000 over MSRP 4% (48 votes)

My dealer said they will charge $5000 to $10,000 over MSRP 4% (46 votes)

My dealer said they will charge more than $10,000 over MSRP 6% (67 votes)

 

[palmermd]

http://gm-volt.com/2010/08/04/poll-how-rampant-is-chevy-volt-dealer-price-gouging/

A lot more than I'd have thought. More than 1/3rd say > 10,000 !

Poll: How Rampant is Chevy Volt Dealer Price Gouging?

My dealer said they will charge MSRP 11% (123 votes)

My dealer said they will charge up to $1000 to $2000 over MSRP 2% (20 votes)

My dealer said they will charge $2000 to $5000 over MSRP 4% (48 votes)

My dealer said they will charge $5000 to $10,000 over MSRP 4% (46 votes)

My dealer said they will charge more than $10,000 over MSRP 6% (67 votes)

I'm not sure how you got 1/3rd, but what I see is that of the dealers who have been contacted 60% are asking over MSRP and 40% are asking over $5000, 22% over 10k.

 

[evnow]

I'm not sure how you got 1/3rd, but what I see is that of the dealers who have been contacted 60% are asking over MSRP and 40% are asking over $5000, 22% over 10k.

You're right. What I meant was $5,000.

 

[planet4ever]

Here's part of the email (typos and all) I got from a Chevy dealer I had contacted months ago:

The Volt is coming... The demand is overwhealming and we are forced to take deposits on pre-orders. The MSRP on Volt will range from $41 to $44k depending upon equipment. There will be a $7,500.00 premium on the cars so we wioll be selling them from $48,500.00 to $52k plus tax and license. Would you like to discuss incoming inventory and how you can reserve one for yourself?

If I had any doubts before about my commitment to the Leaf, they have totally evaporated.

Yes, I know about the $350 lease they are talking up, but I have to believe there is a catch.