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Volt construction starts November 11
Dealers will find out how many they will get on November 17

One of the most anticipated green vehicles around is the Chevrolet Volt. The Volt is an extended range hybrid vehicle that runs all the time on electric power. The gasoline engine is only used to produce electricity to run the car when the batteries lack sufficient power alone.

Translogic reports that the Chevy Volt is set to go into production on November 11. So far, the launch date of the Volt is said to be in November based on people familiar with the schedule. Dealer allocation is set to be posted on November 17. Dealer allocation will let dealers in the initial launch areas of California, Michigan, and Washington D.C. know how many Volts they can expect on the lot.

GM plans to build 10,000 volts by the end of 2011 and then up that number to 30,000 units in 2012. At that level of production, the plant where the Volt is built will be producing 24 finished vehicles per day. GM finally offered the official price for the Volt in July pricing the car at $41,000 (before a $7,500 tax credit). Some dealers who will be selling the Volt immediately started adding "market adjustments" to the MSRP of the Volt bringing the price up to $61,000 after markup.

With some dealers tacking $20,000 onto the already high MSRP of the Volt, AutoNation, which owns 230 dealerships around the country, told its 27 Chevrolet dealers that they will sell the Volt at MSRP or face contract termination. GM has made no official statements on the possibility of dealers charging much more than MSRP for the vehicles.

Market adjustments are not uncommon in the automotive industry. Ford dealerships routinely add thousands of dollars to the price of the Shelby GT500 and the PT Cruiser saw plenty of dealer markup early in its life when it was actually popular.

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It Burns a Hole in the Pocket
By schrodog on 9/2/2010 9:58:20 AM , Rating: 2
Right off the bat, I think this vehicle is insanely overpriced, even with the tax break and without the markups. That said, if nobody buys it, then prices should drop.

Also, this is a new vehicle, and as such, there is a learning curve to producing this vehicle. As the production process becomes more refined, prices should drop.

However, none of this could matter in the long run. Consumers today are trying harder to stay out of debt and are not as likely to blow all of there money on something this expensive.

Yes, the rich are the most likely people to purchase this vehicle initially, but they make up a relatively small percentage of the population. If Chevrolet can't sell enough of these vehicles quickly, then they may end up taking a huge loss on a very big investment.




RE: It Burns a Hole in the Pocket
By bbomb on 9/2/2010 12:33:15 PM , Rating: 1
Stick a Toyota badge on this exact car and I bet you dealers could not keep it on the lot. Americans all hate American car companies and are quick to trash everything they produce whether its founded or not.


RE: It Burns a Hole in the Pocket
By Spuke on 9/2/10, Rating: 0
RE: It Burns a Hole in the Pocket
By Nfarce on 9/2/2010 1:30:16 PM , Rating: 3
If you are talking about America's attitude of our own car manufacturers in the 1990s and even early '00s you'd be correct (many of us were just plain too stupid to know what junk was in the 1980s - and GM, Ford, and Chrysler build JUNK back then). However, the last five years or so have seen a tremendous reversal of this (even though car sales have tanked with the economy).

The fact that Toyota has had quality control problems in recent years hasn't hurt either (a friend's 2007 Sienna minivan had the A/C go out with just 45,000 miles on the clock - and it's a known issue).

And to be quite honest, I haven't been impressed with the quality of either BMW or Mercedes lately either (my brother in law's 2006 C320 ragtop had the transmission fail at 50,000 miles).


RE: It Burns a Hole in the Pocket
By Spuke on 9/2/2010 2:03:56 PM , Rating: 2
I don't know why I was rated down. I posted sales numbers to show Americans DO like American cars as there's quite a few on that list.


RE: It Burns a Hole in the Pocket
By Nfarce on 9/2/2010 4:10:18 PM , Rating: 4
Well, that tends to happen when speaking the truth on DT forums sometimes. Especially if it goes against the grain of someone's belief or argument.


RE: It Burns a Hole in the Pocket
By saganhill on 9/2/10, Rating: 0
By Reclaimer77 on 9/2/2010 6:55:47 PM , Rating: 2
Umm the first model T was a massive revolution in personal transportation. Using the same analogy to compare a Volt to a traditional auto isn't really appropriate.


RE: It Burns a Hole in the Pocket
By acer905 on 9/3/2010 12:54:51 PM , Rating: 2
The model T was regarded as the first affordable car. It was not "very expensive," all other cars were. It cost $850 when first introduced, when all other cars were over $2000... (around $20,000 modern money for the Model T, 50,000 for other cars)

If the model T proves anything its that we are still waiting for the "Model T of Electric/Hybrid Cars" to come along giving us an affordable version


By cmdrdredd on 9/2/2010 5:08:55 PM , Rating: 3
quote:
Stick a Toyota badge on this exact car and I bet you dealers could not keep it on the lot. Americans all hate American car companies and are quick to trash everything they produce whether its founded or not.


Wrong, I'm American and I 100% support FORD. They took NO government money and still turned a profit and have some of the very best cars with the most impressive technology out there at the moment.


RE: It Burns a Hole in the Pocket
By Spuke on 9/2/2010 12:42:13 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Yes, the rich are the most likely people to purchase this vehicle initially, but they make up a relatively small percentage of the population.
Although rich people do buy $40k cars, that price range is not just made up of rich people. People tend to forget that there's a whole range of incomes under 1 million smackers. I can afford the Volt and I am not anywhere close to being rich. All you need are two, possibly degreed, professionals with a few years under their belt. There are 10's of MILLIONS of Americans that fit that bill. BMW and Mercedes EACH sell 20k cars a month. For perspective, VW sells the same amount of cars per month (those sales exclude Audi).

Rich people cars are 911's and V8 Audi's. Cause that's what I see when I drive through rich people neighborhoods. Do I see other cars? Sure, people drive what they want to but when the 911 count goes up, I know I'm in a wealthy area.


By Reclaimer77 on 9/2/2010 4:18:51 PM , Rating: 2
I agree Spuke. I'm not sure the "rich" care about saving money on gas.

And yes, the 911 count is the ultimate indicator, I agree :D


RE: It Burns a Hole in the Pocket
By Nfarce on 9/2/2010 4:37:52 PM , Rating: 2
Exactly. I paid $37k for an Infinity G35 four years ago which are a dime a dozen around greater metro Atlanta. Today, a fully decked out Maxima stickers for over $41k. Shoot even the new Ford Taurus SHO pricing starts at $38k and an optioned out Camry Hybrid stickers for $35k. And you can't even touch a new full sized SUV like a Tahoe, Nissan Armada, or Expedition for under $40k.

These cars are in the driveways of middle and upper middle class households - far from the "rich" people. But then again, some politicians in Washington feel that if your household earns over $150k/yr, you are somehow "rich."


RE: It Burns a Hole in the Pocket
By Nfarce on 9/2/2010 4:40:08 PM , Rating: 2
Oops...

quote:
But then again, some politicians in Washington feel that if your household earns over $150k/yr


Read that as if your household earns about $150k/yr


By Lord 666 on 9/4/2010 7:54:26 PM , Rating: 2
Agreed about the 911. Up until 6th grade I thought "everyone" owned a 911. Even my first car was a used 911. Lasted one year before someone ran a stop sign an ran into me.

I can buy one now, but rather put my money towards my kids. Around where I live, those V8 Audi's are corporate leases. Anyone who knows cars and finances wouldn't go near one with a lease using their own money. The residuals suck.


RE: It Burns a Hole in the Pocket
By gregpet on 9/2/2010 1:29:57 PM , Rating: 3
It's amazing there is such hand wringing going on about the Volt pricing. If anywhere, people on a technology board should know that new technology always costs more in the beginning. No one here is spending $2000 on a cell phone or $5000 for a laptop!

The current version of the Volt has lots of 'belt & suspenders' since this is such new technology. The 1.4L engine is also too big to be just a generator. They are already working on the second generation. Give GM a couple years to get the technology rock solid and the price down. Early adopters always pay more!


By Anon Emus on 9/2/2010 1:38:38 PM , Rating: 2
I think youve got your economics theory backwards. Its a limited production car for a specific market segment. If no one buys it prices wont drop. Prices drop as production goes up. Prices will only drop if the car is a sales success. Thats why prices dropped for flat panel televisions, cell phones, cell service, computers etc etc. Only as volume goes up do prices come down. If the car doesnt sell well prices will stay high and it will remain a limited production vehicle for a specific market. If it sells poorly enough it will be cut from the product line. In that case prices on remaining inventory may take a hit but it wont be significant.


Tesla Model S
By IntelUser2000 on 9/2/10, Rating: 0
RE: Tesla Model S
By xprojected on 9/2/2010 10:18:49 AM , Rating: 1
quote:
If Tesla can sell the Model S without the mark up, execute its plans


Dream on.

quote:
Eco-conscious people, and irrational fuel-savers that only look at fuel costs and not the hefty initial price. Oh, and add celebrities too.


Precisely who bought the Tesla Roadster.


RE: Tesla Model S
By MrTeal on 9/2/2010 11:02:52 AM , Rating: 3
quote:
If Tesla can sell the Model S without the mark up, execute its plans, and if GM dealerships sell the Volt for $50k, saying the Volt will be slaughtered is an understatement.


And if I could only fly and shoot laser beams out my ass, I would have half the world subjugated by now. Of course if the nearly bankrupt company manages to produce its woefully behind schedule and over-budget car on time, and deliver enough into the channel from production infrastructure that's never been tested that there is no markup, and nothing else changes in the market, it will have a chance to outsell the Volt, assuming the Volt sells for $20,000 over markup.


RE: Tesla Model S
By tallguywithglasseson on 9/2/2010 1:20:35 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Even if it sells at $41,000 without the mark up price by the dealerships, the Model S is $9,000 more but justifies it by being complete electric and targeted at luxury car buyers.


Your numbers are a bit goofy.

The Model S's oft advertised price of $49,000 includes the federal tax credit of $7500 - which the Volt is also eligible for.

So the base Model S is $57,400 vs. $41,000 for the Volt [without the markup] - a price difference of more than $16,000.

If you're using the $49,000 price for the Model S, the correct comparative number for the Volt would be $34,000 -- just to make it apples-to-apples.

As far as which car is better, the Model S surely wins on looks, and probably most other categories, but it does have a more limited range - 160 miles for the base model, then hope to find a quick-charge station or have some time on your hands.

Personally I'd love to have a Model S for driving around town. But then, there are lots of things I'd love to have.


RE: Tesla Model S
By Spuke on 9/2/2010 2:07:30 PM , Rating: 1
quote:
Personally I'd love to have a Model S for driving around town. But then, there are lots of things I'd love to have.
LOL! Now why did you get rated down? Must be a lot of cowards reading today. Or someone's bro in law works at the Tesla plant.


RE: Tesla Model S
By gregpet on 9/2/2010 1:25:20 PM , Rating: 2
First- The Tesla S is a paper vehicle so come back when they actually build one for sale...

Second- You still have range anxiety with pure electric (no extender). You also can't get around the fact that (at a minimum) it takes 4+ hours to recharge (probably a lot longer).

You can hate GM for any number of reasons but give credit where it is do. The Volt is the first car that can run pure electric 90% of the time and still be available for cross country travel.


RE: Tesla Model S
By Dr of crap on 9/3/2010 9:10:40 AM , Rating: 2
SO WHAT. Why is that brought up so much.
"It runs on battery power if UNDER 40 miles, but can go cross country."
It is NOT a breakthrough car. It is so like a Prius.
There is no NEW nothing to the Volt. Why would you pay extra for the Volt. The Prus is under $30K.

Not that I would buy a Prius, but the comparision is so obvious.
And you fall for the GM marketing in that this is some NEW innovation - it's not!
It's a hybrid - simple as that.

Give me a diesel or gas powered car that gets over 50 mpg any day. And yes they do exist!


RE: Tesla Model S
By gregpet on 9/3/2010 2:02:13 PM , Rating: 2
Unfortunately you are just mis-informed (or worse)...

The Prius starts burning gas the second you go over 15 MPH (or there abouts). The Volt doesn't burn anything until you use up your 40 mile range (which most people won't do in a typical day)...Why is this so complicated for you?

AND there is everyting new about a Volt. It is a pure electric with range extender - the Prius is a gas powered car with a pusher electric motor attached...

The bottom line is you don't see anyone (accept you) comparing the Volt to a prius b/c it is a completely different car. You see comparisons to a leaf because they are both electric (although with leaf you have to worry about range since you don't have the extender)...


Hold on...
By jonup on 9/2/2010 2:12:38 PM , Rating: 2
I just drove by a production(-looking) Volt last week just north of the Chrysler headquaters. I've been seeing the prototype for over a year now, but this look different, no monitoring equipment inside, finished interior, the person looked like he was driving home from work (suit, business looking, middle aged guy, driving south at around 6:30p.m.) I could have sworn it was a production car. There was proper marking "Volt" on the back and in front of the front doors.
Is it possible that it is for sale already?




RE: Hold on...
By acer905 on 9/2/2010 7:29:51 PM , Rating: 2
It's not for sale, however GM has a program which allows execs who are at a certain level to take cars home for a few days at at time. What they get depends on what level they are at, but if they are high enough up they can pretty much get anything GM makes. Do you by chance live somewhere near the GM proving grounds in Mi?


RE: Hold on...
By jonup on 9/2/2010 8:24:29 PM , Rating: 2
Where are the proving grounds. I saw this particular one on the way home from flint on i75. But I remember seeing the prototype on i96 around Novi when they did the 3,000-mile run a while ago.
Thanks for the insight. I new I saw a production model.


ya
By hurtn on 9/2/2010 9:54:20 AM , Rating: 1
who cares.




RE: ya
By Amedean on 9/2/10, Rating: 0
RE: ya
By cmdrdredd on 9/2/2010 5:13:18 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
who cares.


I sure don't. Government Motors can go to hell with all the unions.


"If you look at the last five years, if you look at what major innovations have occurred in computing technology, every single one of them came from AMD. Not a single innovation came from Intel." -- AMD CEO Hector Ruiz in 2007











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