GM expands Chevrolet Volt orders to all 50 states, lowers price

Source: Detroti Free Press

General Motors opened up orders for the Chevrolet Volt to all 50 states today, lowering the base price for the 2012 model by about $1,000 and adding four option packages.

The 2012 Volt will start at $39,995, including delivery, and customers may be eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit. GM was able to lower the base price because the car has more optional content now that it's available nationally, the automaker said today in a statement. The 2011 Volt had been available in eight states and Washington, D.C., and only had three option packages.


GM is expanding Volt ordering as it prepares to add two shifts worth 2,500 jobs to the Detroit-Hamtramck plant that builds the car. Volt engineers are seeking to cut the car's cost through powertrain and production improvements, which will mostly be used to make the car profitable, rather than slash the price for consumers.


GM plans this year to build 16,000 of the Volt and its European version, the Opel Ampera. That includes about 3,500 for overseas delivery and 2,500 as demos at dealerships. Next year, GM plans to build 60,000 Volts at its Detroit-Hamtramck plant, with 45,000 designated for the U.S.




Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20110610/BUSINESS0101/110610016/GM-expands-Chevrolet-Volt-orders-all-50-states-lowers-price?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

It sounds as though they really want to sell some cars.

They will profit, and so will we.

Wow great news!

At a rate of less than 300/month of sales... who is going to buy the extra 13k cars they make?

Wait... let me guess. The government will buy these overpriced boondoggles and stick us with the bill, and claim that the Volt is a success as a result.

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

We'll be fighter jets and expensive new cars for the government. And China will laugh at us the whole time.

The Volt is a good beginning. The government buys a lot of cars. Why shouldn't the government by Volts? They may be expensive now, but then so were the first gas combustible engine cars. New trends start at the top end of the scale.

We have to get away from oil. We have no choice.

With all the things that we could be investing in right now, $40k/ea. vehicles should be the last thing on the agenda.

:rofl:

GM isn't selling more than a few hundred per month. Few enough people have that kind of money to lay out for a vehicle, and of those who do, they aren't laying out for any Volts.

Wait... What happened?

Mittens was wrong? Say it ain't so.

or even when Chrysler was down to 80 cents in the 1970s, but was too young and parents would not go for it.

and accelerates.

"GM plans this year to build 16,000 of the Volt and its European version, the Opel Ampera. That includes about 3,500 for overseas delivery and 2,500 as demos at dealerships. Next year, GM plans to build 60,000 Volts at its Detroit-Hamtramck plant, with 45,000 designated for the U.S."

There's no way they will sell that many at 40K a pop. Even with the tax break, which only helps if you pay that much in taxes already, and will probably fade out like the breaks on the Prius.

is the Ford F-150, sold 214,000 so far this year at an average $36,000 and change. That's no tax break, very close to $40,000.

Second best seller is Chevy Silverado, 150,000+ so far this year, starting at $28,000 and change.

Two people on my block are interested in the Volt now that it will be in Texas. We're waiting for a cargo type vehicle ourselves, perhaps the new Ford.

I think these will fly off the shelves once people see them and can get them. There's a huge pent-up demand for these types of vehicles.





http://online.wsj.com/mdc/public/page/2_3022-autosales.html#autosalesC

that dog won't hunt.

We live in the Permian Basin in west Texas.

And yes, we want a vehicle with fewer moving parts, no emissions, nearly no maintenance, and nearly zero operating costs.

These electrics are not hippie vehicles:



And "that dog won't hunt" is a Georgiaism introduced to Texas by the expat traitor, Phil Gramm, who thank gawd, is no longer staining my beloved home state.

Now, if hairy Perry will face the natural consequences of a lifetime of excess hairspray, life would be just about good.

What was that the E-1? Something like that --

See the movie -- "Who Killed The Electric Car?"

it will not seem so bad.

They dropped the price from $41,000 to $40,000! Woo hoo!

Who needs to eat?

that was my reaction too

Is, we're on the road, and you'll save money every year you own it in ever increasing gas costs. Planting trees, or buying cars that'll save you year after year, or putting expensive solar panels that'll pay off eventually, are the hardest investments to justify.

But I understand, as I can't afford one either, but then I couldn't afford a regular car either. It's pretty normal though, that the early adapters of technology pay the most, whether it's a stereo, DVD, Blue Ray, CD, Three D, or a Volt. Hopefully they will. I know if I could I would. Why do I want to buy gas when electricity is cheaper. Now a car, AND solar panels to charge it on the roof, that's the dream!!

And a car loan you owe forever now, I do believe, thanks to changes in the law.

If you save $50 a month this year, $70 a month next year, $90 a month the following year, as gas keeps increasing, eventually you'll make up the difference. It's all about whether you can actually afford to finance it. Gas ain't goin' nowhere but up folks. It's an investment. You can bellyache all you want--I can't afford one period, I couldn't get the loan. But if you can, and you save a big chunk in gas each month to put toward the payment, and once you get it paid off, it'll be free and clear to put into your power, gas, phone, or rent, then you'll come out ahead down the line.

Hey, plant a fruit tree while you are at it!! Make sure it'll grow in your region, and somewhere down the line you'll have free fruit.

not buying the volt

Just my two cents

Or say...

Used 2007 Jaguar XK Aluminum Luxury Coupe $42,000
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=300951412&dealer_id=66339899&car_year=2007&systime=&doors=&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&body_style=CONVERT&body_style=COUPE&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&scarid=287769357&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=100&min_price=38000&rdm=1307720891330&drive=&marketZipError=false&advanced=&fuel=&keywords_display=&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&showZipError=y&certified=&engine=&dma=DALLAS-FT_WORTH_DN&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=3&transmission=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&color=&address=75074&sort_type=priceDESC&max_price=42000&make=&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=5&standard=false


Certified 2007 BMW 650i Coupe $41,880
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=c&car_id=299105584&dealer_id=71401&car_year=2007&systime=&doors=&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&body_style=CONVERT&body_style=COUPE&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&scarid=287769357&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=100&min_price=38000&rdm=1307720891330&drive=&marketZipError=false&advanced=&fuel=&keywords_display=&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&showZipError=y&certified=&engine=&dma=DALLAS-FT_WORTH_DN&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=3&transmission=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&color=&address=75074&sort_type=priceDESC&max_price=42000&make=&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=44&standard=false

Will they save you gas? Is your only view of this situation cost, or are you environmentally concerned and want to save big money when gas becomes six dollars an hour. (of course it's about $15 a gallon now, when you add three apparently eternal wars)

It got about 12 mpg.

something loaded, and something that will hold it's value a little better...and something I can get sideways at 80mph on the highway. If I'm spending 40K on a car, I don't care what gas prices are. I ride my yamaha to work anyway and get 53mpg

Like a Porche Cayman 33K




Or this used Viper with 9000 miles for 43K




Or shit, may even go a little old school and pick up this Grand National for 22K,


And spend the rest on an ol' chevy pick-em-up

about cutting edge green/economy cars?

You see, other folks are going to see 40K price tag and you know what, some of them will be thinking along the same lines as me. 40K, shit, for 40K I can also get....

As an aside, would you really say "So why the holy fuck are you" in a real conversation? That doesn't really roll off like say "So why the hell are you", just curious :)

I imagine many people would rather satisfy their own visceral desires rather than attempt helping the planet. I imagine that's part and parcel of the reason the environment is teetering.

However, I'm fairly confident you will find a way to rationalize and justify your personal desires over a greater good..

cost of a Prius (base msrp $23k) or a Honda Insight ($18k) just to be able to plug it in.

making the cars free!!

We need government to subsidize the research for solar batteries --

and to subsidize the manufacture of electric cars -- preferably with solar batteries --

and to subsidize the purchase of the electric cars --



Also we need government to get involved in creating recharging stations --

in parking lots -- along streets -- maybe in gas stations that are no longer in operation?

As a 'status symbol' it might be worth something to a few customers, but as a car it is an unaffordable waste of money.

For such a strictly consumer oriented market as ours,but as proof of concept and rolling test bed the feedback from however many they sell will be invaluable for the next generation of electric autos. Not to mention getting foot in the competitive door. I'd be more inclined toward a plug-in hybrid myself but I'm glad to see an American manufacturer making the effort to get one of these on the street.

not be sure about the money.

I know its still beyond my finances for now...but, someday hopefully!

ia all well and good, but who can afford it? As usual, the rich can afford it just like they can afford everything else but all of us average working people are left out.

Meanwhile. I am trying to scrape together enough change to pay for overdue major maintenance on my seven year old car.

They should have branded it a Cadillac.



Other than that, it's a great concept and great car. The word "Cadillac" would have stopped all this "but but but this cutting edge technology cost more than a regular car" bullshit we're hearing.

Since I already have a good gas powered vehicle I'm more interested in a pure electric vehicle.

I figured half the comments in this thread would be people bitching.

Good news, despite the people who seem to be on the same page as Romney. I hope the price keeps dropping.

electric cars -- preferably with solar batteries --

and CONVERTING existing cars to electric, as well --

Government should be SUSBSIDIZING the manufacture of solar battery electric cars

and FINANCING THE PURCHASE of them at the other end!!


Government should also be setting up electric recharging stations --

old gas stations would be one way --

AFTER ALL GOVERNMENT SUSIDIZED THE ORIGINAL GAS STATIONS, IF NOT PAID FOR THEM ... NOT SURE!!

We're going to need electric re-charging posts in parking lots and at shopping malls and

wherever we would think we might need an opportunity to recharge.

Again -- trust that the solar battery is in fact here -- but obviously there are forces

preventing us from getting there.



Keep in mind that we've had a recent article from Australia which is saying that

Global Warming scientists have been having their lives threatened!!

Think of the great silence of our world scientists on the Fukushima disaster and BP

and Global Warming disasters piling up -- does it seem natural to anyone?


Think of W and the suppression of info from scientists on Global Warming --

information removed by the EPA!

We don't get to this level of corruption of government without serious gangsterism

keeping fascism in place!

that's a 30,000+ savings.

For that amount, assuming about 25mpg and 5 dollar gas, you could drive it 150,000 miles. (and of course that's ignoring the cost of charging it and maintenance and whatnot)

The numbers don't really support the Volt yet.