On Public Opinion About the Production Chevy Volt (and Another Poll)
Not unexpectedly the leak of production Volt photos have ricocheted around the web, and certainly 10’s if not 100’s of thousands of people have seen these images. However, some design uncertainty remains. We really haven’t seen the car alone in full at favorable angles and with unencumbered views. This will come next week. Sources tell me those pictures are, and indeed the car is, quite striking, and the leaked images really don’t do the car proper justice, as the executives are the focal points, not the car.
Based on the suboptimal leaked images, many of the comments appearing here and elsewhere although mixed have tended negative about the redesign.
The poll we took here showed from what 1388 respondents have seen, that 57% preferred the concept, 32% preferred the production model, 7% felt the same about both, and 4% didn’t know.
I agree design is important, but how much so?
After all this is really about petroleum displacement. What moved me to start this site in January 07 when GM first announced the car actually wasn’t what the Volt looked like but what it did.
I like beautiful cars, but the big issue is a US company making a profound and major stride in getting this country and the world off of oil.
No matter what the Volt looks like, it will drive for the first 40 miles, the majority of US drivers’ daily need, without using a drop of gasoline.
And, although there will be a necessary ramp-up, the car will be mass-produced using GM’s extensive global manufacturing infrastructure and eventually delivered to nearly every developed country in the world.
Those things will begin make a difference for us all.
So for our next poll:
Loading ...And thanks to reader Fred Potter for the colored Volts!
Popularity: 3%
Related posts:
- POLL: Chevy Volt Concept Versus Production Version
- GM Denies Intentionally Leaking Photos of Production Volt (Plus Preference Poll)
- Chevy Volt Chief Designer Bob Boniface on One Versus Two Charging Ports (With Poll)
- Volt Battery Supplier Chosen and GM Comments on Production Photo Leaks (POLL)
- Results of Preference Poll and My Production Volt Unveiling Video
(4 votes, average: 5 out of 5) 
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September 10th, 2008 at 6:22 am
Enough with the polls. It is what it is.
That said, displacing the use of gasoline is clearly the most important thing about what will be a historic car.
And Fred, how about showing us a Volt in black?
September 10th, 2008 at 6:28 am
Carbon looks sleak, blue is a close second. I’m a sucker for navy blue metalic. I hope a similar color is available.
September 10th, 2008 at 6:29 am
Purple would be nice…or Green & Gold metallic!
Johnnie
September 10th, 2008 at 6:43 am
Lyle,
I agree with you that we need to get off of oil.
But if people don’t like the way the Volt looks, they won’t buy it.
This is especially true when it has such a high premium.
So if people aren’t buying it, then the Volt doesn’t help us get off of oil. The poll shows that most people don’t like it. I think GM missed a real good opportunity for themselves and the world.
September 10th, 2008 at 6:45 am
Fred Potter.
Thank you for taking the time to do the pictures.
They came out good.
September 10th, 2008 at 6:49 am
This poll warms my heart to see at this time, out of 361 respondents, 60% feel getting off of gas is most important.
Now, we need to inform, pressure, or lobby Congress, Governors, and thin-film solar companies to incentivize the spread of photovoltaics (solar cells). It’s the best of both worlds. Create your own fuel for the Volt and reduce your utility bill at the same time. It’s Freedom from companies that would bind us to hydrogen or natural gas. Wind is ok, but how many cities would let you, the individual put up a wind tower, none. Every land owner could put up solar. It’s freedom. Sorry it’s a bit off topic…
September 10th, 2008 at 6:49 am
Silver, white, blue, red or black, they ALL would look much more distinctive, sportier & more like the concept Volt with deeply-recessed blackened/textured grills and enlarged wheels/tires!
September 10th, 2008 at 6:50 am
Most people that visit this site would accept a ” box with wheels and 5 gallon bucket driver’s seat” for a serial hybrid…so the poll is probably skewd a bit. Maybe the question should be…
If the Volt was offered with an ICE only, does it look like a $40K+ vehicle?
September 10th, 2008 at 6:56 am
Where is the most compatible color for this car - electric yellow? I’m sure these pictures don’t do the car justice. I wanna see it with the tech savy LED lights on. I think the back of it looks cool too.
September 10th, 2008 at 6:58 am
It’s just bends in sheet metal; why not make them visually appealing? Why butt ugly? Why does it HAVE to look so BORING? Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear is going to have a field day with this one. Can I have 39 miles AER and some of the good looks back? Folks are already calling it the “Volturd”. Can’t you eco-geeks comprehend that looks really do matter? Seriously, a range limited, can’t go on vacation if there are long distances or mountains, $40,000 retail, have to plug it in every night, drive forty miles then limp home, four door Chevy that looks like the result of an incestual relationship between a Camry and an old Honda CRX…
Is this truly the BEST than AMERICANS can come up with? If so, we DESERVE failure! We DESERVE layoffs and recession and international ridicule! It’s not ALL about imported oil. It’s not all about “Made In America”. It’s also about “wow, that’s a hot number”. It’s also about “damn, this thing really CAN climb”. It’s also about “hell yes, that’s MY car”. Come on GM, make it look like a winner. That will go a long way toward BEING a winner.
September 10th, 2008 at 6:58 am
Lyle said:
“After all this is really about petroleum displacement. What moved me to start this site in January 07 when GM first announced the car actually wasn’t what the Volt looked like but what it did.”
Exactly the same for me. The fact that the Volt is an EV is what caught my interest from the beginning, with the look of the car being secondary. I want the Volt to be awesome looking and appeal to as many people as possible, (as I’m sure GM does as well). But we got to remember that this is the first iteration. The very beginning of mass produced EV’s. Who’s to say that future variants of the E-flex architecture may not offer a model or two with more aggressive styling, but say with a lower range as a concession?
P.S. I like the black one!
September 10th, 2008 at 7:06 am
I like the Blue, & black ones, but with the black grill. Preferably no grill, but the word ‘Volt’ embossed instead.
September 10th, 2008 at 7:18 am
I agree 100% with Lyle. This car is revolutionary because it helps the developed world wean itself off oil.
A few posters on some of the other threads have mentioned something that I think all the naysayers should keep in mind. This is only the first (Gen-1) version of a RE-EV. Given the fact that in the long run the world’s overall demand for oil will continue to increase at a time when the remaining supply is becoming more and more difficult to find, extract and deliver, it is painfully obvious that the price for oil will continue to climb steadily. Some experts estimate it could rise to over $200 a barrel within the next several years. The corresponding price of gas (some estimates as high as $10 a gallon), would push cars with alternate technologies like the Volt into the mainstream. Consequently, there will be other manufacturers and other models within GM that will explore the wide range of possible styles and price ranges. To the point, if you don’t like the Volt just wait, there will be many other cars on the market within the next 5 to 10 years that will have the particular design cues you may find missing in the Gen-1 Volt.
I personally applaud General Motors efforts to make this monumental shift in how America and the World support their transportation needs. I feel I’m blessed to live at such a crucial moment in history, when a few people identified a need that our own government has turned its collective backs on for over forty years, and took the difficult steps in answering that need. To me, this is just another example of good old American “Can-Do” spirit.
Cheers to everyone involved in the Volt project!
September 10th, 2008 at 7:21 am
I won’t lie. I liked the concept, but there has to be reason with opinion. If the concept wasn’t an EREV, then everyone would be saying “aww, hell. Here comes GM with another car that can’t get good gas mileage. Guess I’ll buy a Honda. Besides, I like imports better. GM won’t exist…blah-blah-blah.”
But GM sets goals that they think are a consumer necessity. Everyone likes the goals but don’t want the trade-off to meet them. You didn’t want the production design to look like a Prius…and it doesn’t. Yet still people gripe and complain. Then don’t buy the damn thing. End of story.
I read these posts every day and I see so much b!tching about the design, when if it didn’t do 40 miles AER, people would damn GM saying they don’t keep their word. The concept was an attractive car but it wouldn’t have done as was promised to the future buyer. Get over yourselves. If you like the concept that much, just request Lyle to ask Lutz/Wagoner to build a delta platform car based on the concept, stuff it with a direct injection 1.4 to 2.0 L inline 4 and call it the Volt SS. Those who want to buy a car can buy that one. Those who want to buy into an idea can buy the EREV car…
…then perhaps the whiners will just shut up…
September 10th, 2008 at 7:24 am
#12 GLV
…thank you…
September 10th, 2008 at 7:27 am
Ultimately, getting off oil is priority number 1. And ultimately the reason I don’t buy a Volt will be the $40K price tag. But, in a few years, if you have two comparable e-rev cars in terms of miles per charge and price, the determining factor then becomes its’ looks.
And looking up..#12 GLV said it much more eloquently. Good points.
And, yes, the different colors do improve the looks. And maybe after a day or two of digesting the design, I do have to say, it does look better than a Prius.
September 10th, 2008 at 7:27 am
Wow! The Volt looks way better in that black/carbon colour used at the top of this article. Very handsome and aggressive.
September 10th, 2008 at 7:29 am
I think this poll is kind of ’stating the obvious’
Obviously most people coming to a ‘Chevy Volt Electic Car’ are primarily interested in a electric car. It’s more or less a, ‘is water wet’ type of quesition, you pretty much know the outcome.
I think we are still seeing ‘disappoint whiplash’ on the production version from the ‘unhappy consumers’ in the “Both are equally important” category.
If this poll was done again in say a year…that category would have significantly lower numbers.
They don’t want to just come out and say ‘drive without gas, because it seems like the poll is a attempt at minimalization of recent bad vibes of the new look, and by voting as such they would be abedding that attempt.
September 10th, 2008 at 7:29 am
Lyle,
Well stated.
A heartfelt “Thank-You” for all your efforts.
September 10th, 2008 at 7:31 am
Another way to look at it is that is, as battery, or energy storage, improves there will be more leeway in design. As it is now, Harley Earl is cursing wind tunnels from the grave.
September 10th, 2008 at 7:32 am
Well, I have to admit that the Production version (as it appears) doesn’t seem to have the attention grabbing effect that the Concept vehicle did, but I’m sure the practical considerations (40 miles AER) were more important than building an electric muscle car.
We have to also understand that GM is looking at the overall sales picture, not just sales to enthusiasts like us. I foresee a large market where the Volt enables people to own both an SUV and a car.
I love my Chevy Tahoe. I use it to get materials at the lumber yard, haul firewood, tow a log splitter, and various other chores. Yet it rides nice and leaves me with no worries just because there is a foot of fresh snow on the ground (it has 4×4). It’s no surprise to me that America loves SUV’s. The problem is they use too much fuel.
Now comes the Volt. No way it can replace the Tahoe, and no way an E-Flex replacement is on the immediate horizon. However, the Volt will be a great commuter vehicle, and a great short-trip vehicle (take the family out to dinner). However, at vacation time, you will still likely load up the SUV when you’re off for the week.
So now you don’t use the Tahoe for commuting or running quick errands to the grocery store, but save it for when its needed. Instead of 15,000 miles per year on the big SUV, you only put on 6,000 miles per year.
So this could be GM’s targeted market for the Volt. For the average family buyer, the clean and efficient production version may be more attractive than the electric muscle car.
September 10th, 2008 at 7:38 am
Well GM makes a car for mass market apeal,
Not some low slung Concept car to do your back in, thats for posers who have ego image problems - we see enough of them on the roads with the biggest wheels they can fit and lowered to the limit.
Posers like a teeth cattering ride while stroking their distored ego.
The rest of us want a practicle vehicle - the first mass produced Electric car!
Prefer bumper side strips for the carpark rather than Huge wheels and a too low roof line any day……
September 10th, 2008 at 7:41 am
Getting off oil, lowering the cost to drive, and the millions of new things engineers haven’t even thought about that electrical propulstion will open up. It’s like the point in time when the PC came out or the internet. A new frontier to explore.
New low cost battery technology that will come friom this will also revolutionize other parts of our lives. I can see using an end of life Volt battery packs to power an off the grid summer cabin or for an Uninterupted Power Supply (UPS) for my house so when we have our California brown outs my house doesn’t go down.
September 10th, 2008 at 7:43 am
I am in the original 10K bracket of signers for this vehicle. My primary objective was and still is to drive without gas. I would believe that if this car becomes popular, there will be a host of aftermarket items available to individualize your likes or dislikes. Just be careful what you add so you don’t loose the aerodynamics of the original design from GM. As far as the grill goes, get you a can of spray paint and do your thing. Here in San Antonio I have an older gentleman that does great pin striping. You’d be surprised how much that adds to a vehicles appearance.
Have a great Day, God bless America !!
GO VOLT
Tom
September 10th, 2008 at 7:43 am
#4
I really don’t agree with you on the looks thing. The prius is an ugly car that people are paying a premium for between 25K & 30K. The people that are buying them are making a statement because the difference in cost in a Colbalt, Corolla, and Civic is considerably less then a prius and they still get gas milage in the low to mid 30’s. The difference in cost alone could buy alot of fuel for a long time.
September 10th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Man I can’t help but think you don’t need to sacrifice that much sportyness. I look at Fisker and Tesla and some of the other designs I have seen and it just seems like they went too far with the “Grandma’s car” shape. When Bob Lutz said the car would heavily favor the prototype I can’t say that was an honest statement. Don’t get me wrong, I will buy one if I can afford it but now I’m just not nearly as excited about it. In fact I will probably be more apt to get the E-Flex Vue. I have a Vue now and love it.
September 10th, 2008 at 7:54 am
This initial Volt is a green Halo car for GM. They are not going to be sellng 500 thousand per year of this model, ever. They will sell all they can build and people will be happy to own one if they can. For those who may not want to pay 40K for the Electric version of the Cruze or who simply cannot find an available Volt, the sales guys can walk them over to the 40+ mpg Cruze for $19K and possibly make a sale.
The next versions of E-Flex should be cheaper and have better battery performance. It will be fun to watch.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:01 am
#24
But people AREN’T buying the more extreme economy vehicles “in masses” even with sky high fuel prices. Honda sells more than eleven times as many Civics as Civic hybrids (53,299 versus 4676 for May 2008), and they don’t charge a large premium for their hybrids like Toyota. In the same month, Toyota only sold 15,011 Prius’ compared to 52,826 Corollas. $40,000 Volts will be even less appealing to the masses. GM must play the style card to increase its appeal because they claim to not be able to drop the price.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:04 am
#24 nuclearboy
This initial Volt is a green Halo car for GM. They are not going to be sellng 500 thousand per year of this model, ever. They will sell all they can build and people will be happy to own one if they can. For those who may not want to pay 40K for the Electric version of the Cruze or who simply cannot find an available Volt, the sales guys can walk them over to the 40+ mpg Cruze for $19K and possibly make a sale.
———-
Nice post.
This is the heart of the Volt program to GM, brand equity and showroom sales migration. Maybe in a decade selling electric cars to the masses for a profit will be viable by itself, but not anytime soon…and GM is looking to make money now.
It is a fact that can be lost on us when we have days like this.
When we have ‘the what the heck is GM doing moments,’ we forget their motives behind this project may not be aligned with our own personal ‘higher ground ideals’ like eco-friendly or independance from foreign oil, but merely have a commonality to them that brings us together.
For those fortunate enough in life to be able to ‘dump’ a wheel barrel of cash on them, we get to have a EV now…for everyone else, they get a subcompact.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:05 am
The gasoline consumption. By _far_.
I don’t understand how anyone still thought that the production car would look like the concept. GM has repeatedly said that the aerodynamics of the concept were terrible (were they serious when they said it had a lower Cd in reverse?) We knew it was going to change and look more “conventional”.
The important thing is the societal implications of a mass move to plug-in series hybrids. Don’t lose sight of this.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Two reasons the Honda Civic hybrid sells so poorly =
1) It doesn’t “look” like a hybrid.
2) No storage space.
How is this production Volt going to change that consumer trend?
September 10th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Why, when I told everyone in the last thread how to get off the waitlist, is it still going up?
Geoff says: The important thing is the societal implications of a mass move to plug-in series hybrids. Don’t lose sight of this.
I agree. No plug, no sale.
LJGTVWOTR
September 10th, 2008 at 8:15 am
“After all this is really about petroleum displacement.”
Yes - this is true - however, there are cars out there now that give better performance than the Volt, let alone in 2010!
So, the only real draw GM would have would be a lower price, or big warranty, or a stylish car.
Now - the production Volt isn’t to looking that bad, but it doesn’t have the flair to stand out above cars that give better bang for the buck!
I mean, would you want a car that can only go 40 miles on a charge, than a car that can go 160 miles on a charge?
Lutz did state the production would look alot like the volt..
I’m not seeing it…
September 10th, 2008 at 8:21 am
One question I have after reading the postings in the last through threads … when did GM actually claim the Volt was going to be a muscle car or sports car? I don’t recall ever having seen that in writting or in any video. And since so many people feel that GM changed the plans for the VOlt … I was curious where I had missed that?
September 10th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Carbon ?!
Is that the name Volt shuold use … more appropriate for gas guzzlers like Hummer.
Real issues with volt are
- Price
- Volume
Currently it looks like Price is too high and volumes too low to make a difference in national (or WW) oil consumption. I started reading this site because I liked the concept of 40 miles on electric - but I’m less certain now that it isn’t more a PR thing than a real game changer. Alas, yet again Japanese automakers may make trump GM in the coming decade with cheaper, greener cars …
September 10th, 2008 at 8:30 am
#27 Hermant.
Exactly right.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Lyle, you sound pretty defensive about the reaction! Before now I hadn’t really thought about how wrapped up you have been in this car and therefore how much more of a disappointment it will be for you. For your sake, I’d be sure that you are getting some sort of compensation.
If it is about getting us off oil then the Volt is already a failure. A mass-market inexpensive hybrid now (or a couple of years ago!) would save so much more oil than this niche product. GM will be millions of already-gas-saving-hybrids behind by the time the first of 10,000 volts rolls off the line.
Things will be different in 7-10 years when the cost is reasonable and every manufacturer selling them (including manufacturers selling good hybrids now). But right now the Volt is not the excuse/justification/distraction for GM’s poor hyrbid offerings that GM is pretending and hoping it to be.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:39 am
I’m with Lyle; it’s about petro… this car is amazing, and it even looks like traditional cars–not like a ZAP zebra, Corbin Sparrow, or some other goofy deathtrap.
For those that want a sportscar electric with curves, I suggest Tesla or Fisker…but you will pay the pricetag.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:42 am
What got me first was the fact it was a PLEV, what got me really interested in buying it was the fact that it looked completely awesome and different from every other hybrid on the road.
Design is very important for this new car. Right now, the production images (and I might change my mind if there are “better” images coming out soon) show a boring car that doesn’t say “high tech” and certain doesn’t say “$40,000″.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Guys and Gals, let’s remember this is the first one. Aero Styling will be less important when the batteries don’t care how slipery it is. As Battery capacity climbs and Battery price falls, designers will have more room to play.
I will drive it just because it will allow me to commute to work gas free. I think the future Camoro and present Challenger are hot looking Cars, but for my money I am waiting for the VOLT.
The way I see it. $1.80 at my rate to fill it up. That means at $3.60 a gallon a car would have to get 80 MPG to compete. Show me a car for 40K that looks better and get’s 80MPG.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Thanks for the red….Mmmm I like it even more in red.
Still waiting for the official pics/video from Video.
For those who style and a pure sport EV, go for Telsla or Fisker. Hell if I had the cash I would go for Fisker. But I don’t, I still beleive this production version does retain a lot of the concept car.
We still have to see a real side view and a full back view.
Anyhow, if someone wants to give me their place in the waiting list because they don’t like the production car, I’ll take it. I’m above 15K in the list
September 10th, 2008 at 8:47 am
It could lookas ugly as a prius for all I care. So long as I don’t have to buy anymore gasoline, I don’t even care if cost me more in the long term had I been fueling an ICE car. Did you see OPEC is cutting production by 500k barrels? Just when we start to see prices coming down. We need to quit sending our money to these countries that hate us. Tell them they can keep their oil! We don’t want it anymore!
September 10th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Thanks Lyle,
Quite right, first a car that allow the world to begin to get rid of oil, and later, cars (E-REVs, BEVs, …) to satisfy the ones who want to place their egos in their cars instead of …
NZ David, I steal your motto :
No plug, no sale. LJGTVWOTR
September 10th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Oh, and I would like a green one please
September 10th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Can you have good looks and no gas? I can. I use Bean-o.
Go E-REV! Go BEV!
September 10th, 2008 at 8:50 am
To be perfectly blunt the production car does not elicit anywhere near the same emotional reaction for me as does the concept car.
If I were walking down the street and saw the concept VOLT I would say, “Hey, what is THAT? That is a great looking car!”
If the production VOLT were parked on the side of the street I would probably walk right by it and not even notice it. It looks like just another econobox and is not exciting in the least…IN APPEARANCE.
So that is the key. How much excitement is added when I know that, for my particular driving situation I will probably get over 200 miles per gallon?
One is an emotionally-based excitement and the other is a rationally-based excitement. The latter increases dramatically as the price of gas goes past $5,$6,$7 and on up past that. At that point the production VOLT could be one of the most exciting cars in the world. Because it will represent FREEDOM to go wherever I want, whenever I want.
All of that being said, I am reminded of the Mini-Cooper. It is a butt-ugly little car made into very cool by way of accessorizing. Many cars off the showroom floor are rather bland until they get personalized. We’ll just see how cool the production VOLT can be. Hey, it is starting off WAY better looking than a Prius.
And also remember, this is just the FIRST version. Like the Model-T vs the Mustang Cobra, cooler cars will evolve from this.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:56 am
The first Gen Prius (pre hatchback) was an absolutely horrible looking car. The Volt to me looks a lot better than even the 2nd gen prius (not saying a whole lot). And they both sold very well (pretty much always a wait list).
I think the black looks real slick and I’d be happy to own it for $35K and $5K back from the fed.
Another point to make is that I’ve been looking at converting one of my cars to Electric (no EREV just electric) and for a battery alone like with the capacity of the Volt I’m looking at a MINIMUM of $30,000. That’s for a chinese no warranty Ebay battery Pack that I’ll have to put together myself to make it big enough.
If GM can get the car at the top of this page to the public for under $40,000 with a 40 mile highway EV range I think they’ve accomplished something truly amazing.
I’d be happy to sacrifice a little style and pay a premium on my car to get off foreign oil. I feel that’s the least I can do!
September 10th, 2008 at 9:01 am
#25 Sean
Hmmmm. Did I buy a Prius to “make a statement”? Nah. I did so because I wanted a vehicle that would use less gasoline and emit less pollution. (The avg. 43 mpg I’ve gotten over the 2.5 years I’ve owned the car ain’t bad.) There’s a lot of Prius-bashing on this site, and people certainly have that right. But ultimately it isn’t productive. If the Big Three had offered a model to seriously rival the Prius back in ‘06, I’d probably have purchased it - but they didn’t. I am very pleased with my Prius, and eagerly await the Volt. But if it costs close to $40K, I won’t be able to afford it.
September 10th, 2008 at 9:03 am
I have to say that after the initial shock of the production photo’s, I’m a little more content with the production version today, than I was yesterday. I still think the concept was much better looking. That being said, Lyle is right about the “reason” for the VOLT in the first place. Oil independence ! I hope they come out with a price in the very near future. Check these numbers out:
Price: $40,000.00
Interest (variable) : 4.9%
Terms: 60months
Trade-In: $0.00
Down Payment: $0.00
Sales Tax: 7%
Total Monthly Payment: $806.48
Thats almost 3 times my current SUV note. Now, it costs me about $60 a week to fill up my trailblazer. Average of $270.00 month + $336.00 month truck note. Total: $606.00 month. I only work 1 mile from my office and everything we would ever need is within 20 miles of our house round trip. I realize that there are other maintenance items involved in my ICE but that about $10-$15 a month. There’s a huge gap from $600 a month to operate vs. $800 a month to operate. I’m still contemplating the x-over.
“Our country is seeing the biggest transfer of wealth in the history of mankind.” - T. Boone Pickens
September 10th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Being able to drive without the use of gasoline. (65%)
Looks like the wheat is being separated from the chaff.
September 10th, 2008 at 9:03 am
I guess toyota and honda are paying some of the posters here.
The car looks so good compared to the ugly prius and the honda’s revamped hybrid offering (I guess it is called insight but it is going to be oh so out-of-sight after Volt comes into the picture). Those people must be crazy jealous right now.
Their cars can’t drive 40 miles AE.
Their cars look ugly.
Their cars only pretend to save gas as opposed to Volt.
Their cars have zero future potential when compared to Volt.
Their customers will feel cheated when they look at the new Volt and realize that ugly, after all these years, does not equate to stand-out in a good way.
September 10th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Let’s see if we can break the record for the number of comments that say, essentially, the same thing.
Keep it long, people.
September 10th, 2008 at 9:07 am
I agree that getting off gasoline is the most important thing. However I am not going to sell both of my cars to buy one that looks like this. I may sell my Volvo, but I m not even sure that is a going to happen. I will probably just wait on the whitestar.
September 10th, 2008 at 9:08 am
I prefer the production model, it looks a lot more gentle, less aggressive.
For those who want something sporty, electric and efficient :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_CR-Z
For those who want 75MPG, have a look at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peugeot_308
http://www.netcarshow.com/peugeot/2009-308_cc/
Would the Volt be a little smaller, I’d be glad to buy it. I’m single and don’t need that much metal. I’ll wait and see what path GM follows.
September 10th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Lyle, Enough with the Polls!
Tomorrow morning provide this site with a way to get their names off the list for those who are not on board with a decent looking beauty that can drive the first 40 miles with NO GAS! We want to see how many who overwhelmingly hated the Production looks, come forward to get off the list.
September 10th, 2008 at 9:14 am
WOW! I must admit that the production model changed significantly form the concept model, I understand, it is what the car can do, not what it looks like. Several of you pointed out the re-design was for aerodynamics. Sure, I understand. A few of you said “it was re-designed to appeal to the masses”, Fine I am one of them. HOWEVER, the media coverage, the auto show buzz, the excitement, the anticipation was for a car that looked like that. In addition, did what it was designed to do, help get us off the dependencies on foreign oil. Am I disappointed? Yes, Did I expect the concept car to be produced as was? No. Did I tell you to scratch my name off the waiting list? No. However, GM really needs to read those posting and listen to what they are saying. In general, Try Again, you have maybe a year to work on this. Reading the postings, I am not the only one that was disappointed in the production model. If this is truly the production model. I could also tell you what you can expect to hear from all media coverage on this car. They will say things like, “they copied off of their foreign competitors in design”, or “Looks like the rest of the GM lineup, boring and unimaginative”. I hope the hundreds of people that asked to be removed from the waiting list doesn’t translate into the thousands of people that will not even give this car a second glance because of the new world car look. As if it meant anything. Since GM has not acknowledged the wait list formally, and it is just to show GM, there is interest in the car.
The concept car was what peaked my interest it looked hot, bold, like nothing else on the road. I fell in love, the one I put photos of on my desktop as wallpaper, the one that I bought a die cast model of to set on my desk. By the way, so many people asked me what kind of car that was and I was very proud to say my next car the Chevy Volt. Am I still excited about the looks? No. Did I put this Production Model Picture on my desktop? No. Everyone would think I was going to buy Prius or a new Nissan Altima. The excitement, the anticipation are no longer there. Do I still want one? Yes. I hope the hundreds of people that said to take them off the wait list moved me up on that list.
September 10th, 2008 at 9:15 am
I’m so tired of looking at this guy in the photos…
/ I’ll take the blue one with sporty black rims.
September 10th, 2008 at 9:17 am
1) It;s non-polluting.
2) It reduces our dependence on foreign oil.
3) It uses renewable fuel (electricity).
4) It is silent.
5) It is American made.
So who cares what color or shape it is. It is not an exotic look that will keep most people from buying it. Like other have said, with later versions and more battery improvements, you can do whatever you like with it - maybe even electric vans.
I still say GO VOLT! GO GM! I want mine ASAP!
September 10th, 2008 at 9:18 am
The ability to go 40 MPC is the reason a lot of people will be buying the Volt….(me included).. regardless of what it looks like.. Once established… you can be sure that GM is going to take that technology and put in their other vehicles… (Let the MAXX be reborn !!)
Issues that they will have are:
Price…. it cannot be priced for niche market. ($40 K +) You have to be able to justify the cost for an “average” milage of 50 MPG (using both the electric and ICE parts together)
Remember that there getting to be more and more cars out there that are getting 40 + MPG (highway) in “real world” driving.. and costing $ 15 - 28 K.
(my opinion $ 32 K would be the upper limit without any government bailouts…. I am sure that countries…other than the US… will not be offering huge rebates for one type of vehicle and not others.)
Looks..
If the Volt is priced competatively to capture a good portion of the market … then it has to look appealing enough to get people’s attention as it passes you on the street.
Warranties… 10 years or 150 K Miles…. good enough… let’s just be sure that the turn around time is very brief… You don’t want to be waiting…driving a “loaner” car for 2 weeks while your dealership is frantically trying to get a battery or some component for your car.
You can rest assured that if there is a longer than normal wait time… the word will get out.. discouraging sales of the Volt.
Ray
September 10th, 2008 at 9:18 am
It is amazing what a change in color can do. I like the red one.
September 10th, 2008 at 9:19 am
I guess I’m still stinging from the boring design, but I’m not clear what the motive was for GM to make a bland car. Let us consider GM strategy on the ugly design and see how messed up the management must be.
GM Volt Plan, Theory #1 “Mass Production”
Some say it was designed for “the masses”, so it had to be incredibly aerodynamic to achieve this 40mi electric number that “the masses” drive everyday. Or that it had to appeal to women, who are the majority of small car buyers. So it has to look like other dumpy small cars.
Problem with Theory #1
There is NO intention to have massive sales in the first 2 years of production, according to GM. And car model life cycles are not much longer than 4 years, so how many could they really intend to sell? And a mini car for above $30k?
GM Volt Plan, Theory #2 “Showroom Magnet”
The volt will be the tech-sexy car that brings excited customers into the GM showrooms, even if they buy a cobalt instead.
Problem with Theory #2
Then why not build a SEXY, or at least UNIQUE car that only gets 30 mi electric? or even 20mi electric. Who cares about 40mi when you want Curb Appeal?
GM Volt Plan, Theory #3 “Green Status Car/Prius Killer”
GM wants to sell a super-green car that people will buy Green alla the Prius just for green-smug-status.
Problem with Theory #3
Green smuggers with $30-40k in 2010 will buy the next green-yet-sexy Lexus Hybrids. These people buy $6 coffee, they don’t suffer for green. Green smuggers with $20k will buy the tried and true Prius. regular income greeners ain’t DYING to spend the GREEN to be green. So a cheaper (less ugly aerodynamic) volt with a 20mi or 10 mi electric range would make more sense as a Prius Killer. Gm should know that, they are in the car business.
GM Volt Plan, Theory #4 “Green Economics/Branding”
AThe 40 mi Volt will label GM as the Green Company, a trend they think is going to dominate the style and substance of the next decade of business.
Problem with Theory #4
Green labeling ain’t worth squat in a down economy…ALL fads are worthless in a down economy. Econ 101. Wanna re-lable a can of soda for a year with recycled paper? Fine. Doesn’t cost much and can be reversed. But build a dog-ugly car AND loose money on it because it will pump up your “image” and market share in the new, unsubstantiated, unproven Green Market supposedly growing? Not smart money.
GM Volt Plan, Theory #5 “Hail Mary”
The Volt will prove to congress, investors and the world that GM has the technology to lead the auto industry, and to save the average 40mi american commuter…and that GM is worthy of more investor money and Gov Bailout money.
Problem with Theory #5
They might just be right…governments write bigger checks with less lobbying everyday! Investors like the buzz. But it doesn’t explain an ugly car. Sexy design would do the job just as well or better with 35mi or 30mi electric range aerodynamics. Or a bigger, more exoensive SUV.
So, as Statik might say, just WHAT are they thinking in the boardrooms? Not enough, I’d say. And the shareholders might also agree.
Bland car = auto death
end of line
September 10th, 2008 at 9:23 am
I voted for getting off petroleum. Of course this is the #1 issue here. Otherwise I would never ever in a Million years ever dream of owning an American car
Leave no doubt that looks are a vary vary vary (3 varys) close second. I will not be buying the Volt until they come out with a sport edition (I probably wont have the choice anyways). Cost for me is the third most important, otherwise Id be drooling over the Tesla. A hot looking car indeed.
psklenar @ your right GM never said they were making a sport car, but take a look at the concept. That IS one sporty car, I didn’t even notice the concept was a 4door until taking a vary close third look at it.
@Geoff Olynyk Of course I knew the real volt wouldn’t look a thing like the concept. They never do. but that dosn’t mean I have to like it.
September 10th, 2008 at 9:25 am
I have been a silent reader of this site for a long time now. Everyone’s points have normally been so insightfull that I have never posted. Now on literally the eve of a changed world is not the time to lose heart. Yes the car is going to be expensive. Yes you will have to plug it in (hopefully at night when the rates are cheapest). Yes there are plenty of cars that will look better. None of that changes the fact that when it comes out, the World changes for the better.
When it comes out and when I get mine (22k on the list), there will be tens of thousands of us who will not use oil (at least for our normal transportation). None, nada! I can’t wait till that day. I built an all electric vehicle in 1978 with my school mates and it is mind blowing that 30 years later we still do not have a mass produced electric vehicle.
Go Volt!!
September 10th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Power blue-Green for me. I want to use no gas.
Take Care,
TED
September 10th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Hey Ya’ll,
Maybe those are just cardboard cutouts !!! GM might still surprise us ???
Tom
September 10th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Yes, the new design will appeal to all the people who would buy a car just because it runs without gas.
The problem lies in the fact that a boring car is just that, boring. It will not appeal to anyone else, other than the typical person who normally buys a boring car. This type of person believes that the only purpose for a car is transportation.
With this design move, GM has basically eliminated the appeal to a buyer like me (and apparently Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson) who believes that if you spend that much money on a car, it should be an enjoyable experience rather than a mundane task.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=oOvp69lnZbA&feature=related
I don’t know. I guess I’ll have to wait for an E-Flex Camaro.
September 10th, 2008 at 9:42 am
#41 matt
It could lookas ugly as a prius for all I care. So long as I don’t have to buy anymore gasoline, I don’t even care if cost me more in the long term had I been fueling an ICE car. Did you see OPEC is cutting production by 500k barrels? Just when we start to see prices coming down. We need to quit sending our money to these countries that hate us. Tell them they can keep their oil! We don’t want it anymore!
——–
That is kind of the problem/danger now with the Volt for GM.
Assuming the ‘design specific/car enthusiast’ crowd has abandoned this iteration of the car at 40K+. And if the others who are remaining, like yourself (and me), don’t care about anything other than getting off oil, you just want a electric car…you/we have no brand loyalty.
I was always in the camp of ‘the first 4 seat EV that I can have serviced locally’ gets my dollars…but now I have no remorse over not getting a Volt if it comes to that situation. My heart won’t sink when I see a Volt on the road for the first time in my ‘other EV’
However, the conundrum is that in reality, it doesn’t work that way. I’m not going to wake up one day and see a ad to buy a Volt, or a i-Miev, or a Plug-In Prius, or a Nissan Cube, or a Subaru, etc. etc.
More than likely what we are going to be faced with is having ALL of them (who are production intent) taking DEPOSITS at the same time. Just putting your name on a wait list is easy.
The real test is in the choosing and putting your money where your mouth…in essence believing whoever you have given your money to that they will produce what they say, and in the timeframe expected.
September 10th, 2008 at 9:43 am
I agree with Lyle about the most important aspect of the Volt is that it starts moving us off petroleum products for fueling our vehicles. That can not be understated. This is a most important point. GM has created a game changer and we should hold our opinion on the looks of the Volt until we can see it better. Even if it is an ugly duckling, I would buy it on day one if it was available to me. I don’t think any other automaker will have a vehicle that will be able to do what the Volt is designed to do when it reaches production. There will be competitors to the Volt and we should welcome them and look forward to them. All it would mean is that we, the consumer, will have more choices and the world can move away from petroleum that much faster. Go GM and Go, Go Volt.
September 10th, 2008 at 9:52 am
As long as GMs claim about “40 miles without a single drop of gasoline” holds true. Just hopefully their statement about ” we found the solution to the stale gas in the tank issue” doesn’t mean that if we want to use the cabin climate control system (heating and cooling of the passengers in the car) that the ICE will have to kick on to provide that. If that is the case…well then technically they would have to say ” 40 miles without a drop of gas** **without the use of any accessories including the heating and cooling and healights”
September 10th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Well, it didn’t take long for this to implode.
1. Do you prefer a car you could never buy or the one that will be on the market? I’ll take the one I can’t get.
2. Is it more important to have a car that uses little gas or one that looks good? I want the one that uses little gas but not this one.
When the comments from this site hit the press, it’s going to be very bad for GM.
Even if the actual car looks really good compared to the leaked photos, the damage is done. They need to do some damage control now and not tomorrow.
We need better pictures that will allow us to confirm or alleviate our concerns about the cosmetics. I just don’t think the real car looks this bad in real life.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:00 am
#41 Matt and #64 Status
Matt describes quite nicely my primary motivation to buy an EV. I would add that an EV also insulates us from supply risk. Even if you an ICE that gets 80mpg it doesnt go anywhere w/o gas. The Volt will go 40 miles w/o gas. I remember the odd/even days of the 70’s and the future may very well be worse in 5 years time.
I’m also excited about the Volt because it is made in America….I am worried decent paying jobs for Americans. Now if I could afford it….the Fisker sure looks nice.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:02 am
@13 GLV -
>> some experts estimate it could rise to over $200 a barrel within the
>> next several years.
Personally, I’d like to see the world recoil so far from using hydrocarbons for personal transport, that the black stuff couldn’t demand $20/BBL on an open market. I’m not holding my breath for that, but a few million EREVs would be a nice start. Just my $0.02USD.
EDIT: Woops! And back on topic, I forgot to say, the new images in –nicer colors– do a lot for the Volt’s new, more conventional appearance. My compliments to the photo-chopper!!
EDIT2: @41 Matt:
>> Tell them they can keep their oil! We don’t want it anymore!
Hear hear, Matt!!
September 10th, 2008 at 10:04 am
The Volt’s drive train is revolutionary. But, it’s not the rocket science that GM may have us believe. Still it’s quite forward thinking for a company who seems to have it’s head firmly planted in it’s rear.
Now, being a car guy, Bob Lutz knows that people purchase based on feeling and not so much on rational thought. Because if that were the case everyone would be driving a used $3000.00 beater getting 30mpg beater instead of a $35,000 Volt.
So, when most buyers purchase a car they want to tell the world look what I’ve got! This is done usually though the exterior design of the car. A great example is the Mazda RX-8 when you see the car you know something is up. When the car looks like every other car on the road you aka the new Volt you don’t even think about it. By 2011 the Volt probably blend in and will be just another car instead of something special. All they had to do was keep the sharp cut off above the windshield and the aggressive fender flares and it would be a totally different car.
Infact: Photoshop Gurus!!! Can you attempt to merge the top loop around the windshield from the prototype and beef up the fender flares over the wheels.
In conclusion if the car would have been a technical marvel and one of the better looking cars on the road that really spoke about the driver it would have been a smash. I really doubt that Volt itself will save GM I just hope the E-REV platform can.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:04 am
A few thoughts…
1. Can you add an option that says “Driving without gas, but with looks a very strong second.”
2. It’s really the back end that I don’t like. If I were rounded sort of like a Porsche, I think it’d look hotter. I dislike these lame little fake spoilers.
3. I think if they darkened the front support pillars and instead made the design of the frame to wrap around the roof. We’d wind up with just as aerodynamic a vehicle. But a much more unique looking design. Which would let people REALLY stand out. Which many who invest in these cars want to do. Right now, the Volt just looks too much like what’s on the road today.
So I propose the Volt SX (sporty edition).
I’ve done a cruddy mock-up, sorry, I am not a graphic artist. Maybe one of the graphic designers who do all the mock-ups here can take this and run a little. I really don’t think it’d be hard for GM to make these mods even this late into the process.
http://www.easternstorm.net/misc/TheSajVolt.jpg
September 10th, 2008 at 10:09 am
I hate to disappoint some of you here and let the facts get in the way of a good attack line, but I don’t recall any thoughtful poster here asking for an “electric sports car” or an electric “muscle car”. The name calling does shift the issue away from the dull Volt for sure, its just incorrect.
As has been stated by others, I am not sure that considering the availability of batteries and the limited nature of the E-Flex cars in the next couple years, that building a dull first incarnation of the E-Flex does GM any good. Others above have made good points, there will not be many Volts available for a few years. Other companies will move at lightning speed to build their own. They will only be 1 to 3 years behind. The Volt in its current skin sets the EREV bar VERY LOW. The point is IT DIDN”T HAVE TOO! GM choose to stay boxed in by the unfortunate promise of 40 MPC. Of couse, the bandwagon jumpers would have been screaming to high heaven if they dropped it to even 38.
I sincerely hope GM will have available, IN 2011 or 2012, other E-flex options that will appeal to different tastes. Maybe a small SUV, a sportier 4 seater Pontiac version, an upscale Cadillac version. DO NOT make any electric range promises on these! Give the designers the freedom to design!
I am a lifetime supporter of GM. I have only bought GM cars and trucks and currently own FOUR of them, something MOST on this forum can not claim. I am not a GM basher. I am however truely concerned now about the survival of GM in the future.
EREV and the E-Flex chassis WILL survive, and will likely be the direction car development will go in the future. GM still has a unique chance to be right out on the tip of that wave, leading the world. But they better give us something we want to drive, not have to drive. Because others will.
Being on the tip of the wave doesn’t help if you can’t swim when it crashes.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:09 am
But why can’t they be electric drive and decent looking?
That’s all I ask.
If it looked half as good as my Mazda6 I’d be all over it.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Yes, driving without gasoline is important. So is what it looks like. And, to those of us living in the real world on fixed budgets (who isn’t??), the price matters a lot. It’s the combination of all three that will make or break this car. The early adopters will buy the entire first year’s production; that is a foregone conclusion. But to be a success for GM, this car has to go beyond the early adopters. And to do that, it must have a good combination of efficiency, looks and price. Hitting only 1 of those three will result in failure. Hitting two raises the chances dramatically. Hitting all three ensures success. At this point, it looks like 1/3.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:10 am
While using no gas is technically more important, style is a close, but important, second. The Volt went from top, Top, friggin TOP of my must have list to my secondary list which contains many “ifs” in there. The main one being “what’s the competition going to bring in 2010?”
This was supposed to be the mustang for the next generation, I just don’t understand how a multi billion dollar company could blow something like this.
Please GM, what is your reasoning?
September 10th, 2008 at 10:16 am
#13 GLV - well stated.
Driving without gasoline is priority #1.
Fred Potter - thanks for the paint jobs! I’ll take mine in RED:)
A reminder to all - this is a full-scale foam model. Things like the grille and wheels can be easily changed…
September 10th, 2008 at 10:17 am
I am really confused. I really like the production car and if I am hearing right the car has a lot in common with the most popular cars on the road today. (i.e. Toyota Camery, Honda Civic etc) Given that these cars are the most popular today - doesn’t that show that the production design is appealing to the the masses.
The idea that this car won’t sell is absurd. A loaded Camery will set you back 35K plus. Try and find a new Prius on the lot for less than 30K - there are not many.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:24 am
It’s interesting that when the issue of “fuel economy” is raised, the importance of style takes a back seat (no pun intended).
September 10th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Great news the drug dealers at OPEC are cutting back on our fix of oil, guess why the price is coming down, every time I fill up my car with the drug I picture a man standing next to the pump dressed in Saudi garb laughing at me ah yes infadel fill up the beast and make me richer day by day. I would not put it past the guys at OPEC and the major oil companies make a run at GM for a hostel take over to keep the car off of the market . GM stock is cheap right now and ripe for the picking. If Iam lucky enough to get my hands on a Volt I will do my best to never put a drop of gas from OPEC in it. I will wait for American made ethanol etc.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:24 am
I said yesterday it would look great in black and wouldn’t you know it, it does!
September 10th, 2008 at 10:25 am
To all that say style is most important. Thanks for not buying one till Gas hit’s $8 a gallon, allowing me to buy mine earlier and laughing past all the gas stations.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:27 am
I think the point is being missed. You must have the wow factor to drive more sales to this product. If not people will purchase a EV from the competitors at a lower price.
Looks and price are important for GM to make this technology the winner in the EV race.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Seems like we have been infected with short seller of the stock. While I have enjoyed reading an intelligent discourse on the technology, styling and challenges of this world-changing product, this ranting sounds much more like the yahoo finance discussions (which are also useless).
Here’s my view: I think that the car looks great, especially considering that it has to be aerodynamic, comfortable, safe and have generally wide appeal. The production version is very close to the design intent, and the fact that it will work and has been developed in an extremely short amount of time (as these things go), it is truly amazing.
For those of you who feel inclined to dump on the entire company because you don’t like the grill, go check the discussions at finance.yahoo.com. You’ll love ‘em.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Would it be possible to opt-out on the unique Chevy Volt look and get them to just drop a Chevy Cruze exterior and interior on the E-Flex platform? Provide just a few aero tweaks maybe?
Exterior: http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/21/gm-releases-official-pics-of-2011-chevy-cruze/
Interior: http://jalopnik.com/398237/2010-chevy-cruze-shows-off-its-interior
September 10th, 2008 at 10:35 am
No, GM never stated in writing, or announced out loud that the Volt would be a muscle car or a sports car … they declared it wordlessly in a show car.
I came to this site in response to what was said, about driving 40 miles all electric; so I never really fell under the spell of the concept version when I finally saw it.
I can only conclude that GM’s great mistake, if there is one, is in producing such an unrealistic concept in the first place.
If this displeasure over the production car, vs the concept proves widespread enough to cause the failure of the Volt program (and GM with it), you can FORGET about EVER seeing a sexy concept car at an auto show, ever again.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:36 am
I also am still holding out hope theat these photos are truely doing the car an injustice.
One final interesting observartion: Do you need another way to tell that GM may have come uo short on this cars skin?
Where are all the Toyota people, Honda people, and the Prius apologists/comparators? They are all just sitting back and having a beer. They don’t need to try to push their positions any more. I am sure they are all smiling.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Based on the photoshops above, I’d say that the orignal grill looks best on the white (silver?) car; it tends to be a bit glaring on the darker colors.
Okay, here’s a hopefully useful suggestion: If the grill is a mostly non-functional, slap-on item, why not come up with color-coordinated designs for different paint colors, as part of the scheme? It would be no different in principle to coordinating other decals and details which are part of a car’s “look.”
September 10th, 2008 at 10:39 am
72 MetrologyFirst
“… GM choose to stay boxed in by the unfortunate promise of 40 MPC. Of couse, the bandwagon jumpers would have been screaming to high heaven if they dropped it to even 38. …”
In all honesty, without the 40MPC I wouldn’t be “screaming” about it, I simply wouldn’t even be considering the Volt - regardless of what it looks like. My daily commute is 20 miles each way (ergo need for 40MPC) and I do occasionally drive farther to see friends or for day/weekend trips (ergo need for Range Extender).
So, by honoring their stated goal of 40MPC, GM has a chance to keep me as a customer. If they had made the Volt a muscle car or sports car, which they never said they intended to do, but lost the 40MPC … they would lose me as customer. No screaming. It just would no longer accomplish what I need.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Just wanted to post some good links for your viewing pleasure
Interview with GM’s R&D Chief Larry Burns from August 4th.
http://www.designnews.com/article/47485-General_Motors_R_D_Chief_Larry_Burns_Sees_Electric_Drive_across_Product_Line.php
Toyota’s Plug-In Pious progress
http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/09/plug-in-prius-demoed-tomorrow-in-london/
Tesla making transmission progress
http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/10/tesla-readies-new-transmission-ramping-production/
September 10th, 2008 at 10:43 am
60% want to travel without using gas or diesel?
See, the FREE market works! GM does NOT need tax money, they NEED to make products that people want to buy and they NEED gov’t to STOP giving tax money to oil companies to keep oil artificially low.
Corporate welfare socialism screws- up free market competition just as badly as corporate monopoly and price fixing.
GM needs to make products with “E-Flex inside”!
September 10th, 2008 at 10:48 am
As we try to wean the oil habit which all on this site can agree is the right thing for america - when will GM have a natural gas engine as the range extender? would this solve the gas in the tank going bad problem?
I would love to be able to plug in my car and then fill up every 6 months from my home
http://www.myphill.com/
September 10th, 2008 at 10:50 am
I want a white one. This is an absolutely great car and a technological marvel. This is a home run which will absolutely do what GM wants — get highly educated consumers living on the coasts to look at a GM vehicle.
Those saying “this doesn’t look like a $40K car” simply don’t get it. The Volt has far more style than a Prius. GM knows that a lot of people who formerly drove a Mercedes, a BMW, or a Jaguar are now driving a Prius. This is not because of the looks or the performance or the fact it’s cheaper. It’s because of the tech. If you don’t get that or like that, then you’re probably not in the target demographic.
As for having a car impress people, which is what the look of the car is about, people who know tech will know the car, and those in the target demographic are more interested in impressing each other than in impressing the average person on the street. That would be as meaningless as impressing their maid.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:52 am
If the “Volt” were truly just about efficiency, MPG, etc., than why is the concept car still shown in the banner of this site?? Why is the concept car still shown on GM’s page?
Face the truth folks - the real reason for the hype for this car was that it was going to both efficient AND cool looking.
GM’s lackluster design just cut out half of the equation, but the price is still at $40K???
They need to take a page from other successful car makers - release the stylish version first (350Z) and then release a toned-down version for the masses (G35).
September 10th, 2008 at 10:52 am
I like it more in colours other than that horrible silver..ish.. (with a green or blue tinge or something?) (I hated it, nonetheless).
I’ll wait until we get some real pictures to make my final judgement, however 
The different colours allows me to see past that
September 10th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Rashiid Amul Says:
September 10th, 2008 at 8:30 am
#27 Hermant.
Exactly right.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Sorry Rashid, you and Hermant are exactly wrong.
Toyota would be selling more Prius’s if they had them. Some dealers reported a used Prius being sold for more than a new one, because the buyer did not have to wait to get it. Nothing gets the attention like being robbed blind at the gas pump.
So the first car with a revolutionary drivetrain is not for you, because the shell does not fit your self-image. A reasoned reaction would not be to proclaim the end to life as we know it.
But don’t worry. GM knows that you are their target market, and they will soon be giving you what you want. They have lived for decades on your desire to drive a car that looks the way you want, no matter how many thousands of dollars in repairs and lost days in the shop come standard on every model.
Start saving for that hot Camaro, and when the Camaro is ready to die in five years, you’ll have a next-generation chick-magnet waiting for you. You’ll get 10 percent of the value of the Camaro to put down on it too!
September 10th, 2008 at 10:55 am
To psklenar @ 87:
Are you saying that if the Volt would have come in at say 36 MPC, you would not have bought it? Seriously? Have you done the math?
Taking your situation:
4 miles per day on gas (@~55mpg) is about 14 days of driving using 1 gallon of gas. Thats about 2 gallons a month. @$4/gal thats 8 bucks! Assuming you drive 40 miles on every weekend day.
You would not have bought a $35000 car because it would have cost you 8 extra bucks a month in gas?
I appreciate your unyielding stance on something you believe, but the financial argument is truely silly.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:58 am
“You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometimes, well you might find
You get what you need”
-Rolling Stones
September 10th, 2008 at 10:59 am
#89
Exactly. Why can’t they offer a CNG or LPG option on the ICE?
As far as looks go, I just hope that the aftermarket jumps on this one. That’s the mark of a good American car. If the owner can easily modify it and make a drab car cool fairly easily. That’s why the Civic took off in the 90’s.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Eco @ 94:
Your misinfo about GM circa 2008 is astounding. Keep ready those magazines!
September 10th, 2008 at 11:05 am
This is like putting lipstick on a pig! Oops, never mind…
September 10th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Sorry, Post 98 should read ” Keep READING those magazines”
I was laughing too hard to type.
September 10th, 2008 at 11:07 am
If GM never wanted it to be an “electric muscle car” why did they put a 160hp electric motor in it? I don’t understand why you would give it access to all of that torque and then make it look like a civic…
September 10th, 2008 at 11:09 am
#1 is how much gas I don’t have to buy. But how much I’m willing to pay is directly related to how good it looks. If they made an e-rev scion that went the same distance I wouldn’t be willing to pay as much.
September 10th, 2008 at 11:15 am
I was thinking a 2000HP Motor WarP 13″ Motor for the Camaro or Corvette. Maybe even for the Silverado\Suburban. Why not?
http://www.beepscom.com/category_s/41.htm
“You see things; and you say, ‘Why?’
But I dream things that never were; and I say, ‘Why Not?’”
-George Bernard Shaw
September 10th, 2008 at 11:15 am
The USA Today newspaper has this Volt article:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2008-09-09-gm-chevrolet-volt-production-photos_N.htm
I quote the article - “GM had been telegraphing that the real car’s styling would be different because the show car, despite its sleek appearance, was an aerodynamic disaster that would have used too much power just plowing through the air. Despite the automaker’s hints, the radical change — to a four-door sedan resembling an Asian economy car — is unexpected.”
————————————————————————
“An Asian economy car” - talk about damning the Volt with faint praise. Instead of the Volt, rebadge it as the Chevrolet Hyundai. Or, IMHO, rebadge it as the Chevrolet Blah. Really, it doesn’t matter - no one’s going to give the new Volt a second glance. Boring !
September 10th, 2008 at 11:16 am
If I wanted a Prius, I’d BUY a Prius.
The old joke was “What do you call a race horse designed by a committee: A camel”
The new joke is “What do you call a Camero designed by the Volt committee: A Prius”
Whatever happened to the car they were going to build?
September 10th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Mantra + Tantra = Yantra
(I have no idea what that really means)
All together now….take a deep breath…clear your mind….close your eyes and repeat:
______________________
Its more about the electrification of the car — not how cool it looks
Its more about the electrification of the car — not how cool it looks
Its more about the electrification of the car — not how cool it looks
______________________
Notice for anyone who may have seen my previous mantras… I have officially removed all references to the word “concept”….I look forward to the day when we no longer have to even see it (because it does still hurt) include this site.
The healing has begun - I have past denial and anger stages so I’m now into the healing stage (which will probably last quite awhile)
September 10th, 2008 at 11:27 am
This poll is meaningless. When I buy a car it isn’t 1 thing that I am buying it for. It’s a combination of exterior looks, interior comfort, ease of the controls (radio, heating, cooling), price, performance, reliability. So I can’t believe the number of people who are proclaiming they will definitely buy this car cause it’s electric or they definitely won’t because of the looks. Personally I won’t commit one way or the other until I’ve seen one at the dealer and have taken it for a test drive.
September 10th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Being able to drive without the use of gasoline. (68%)
Looks like “wheat” is pulling away.
More “Grist” for the mill…..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Form_follows_function
September 10th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Well . . .
This is the wonderful thing about free enterprise and Freedom in the Good ol USA!
Choices!
I’ve been following the Volt a long time ( #1200 or so). And have been and will be enjoying the fellowship on this board.
I agree that the production is not as sleek as the concept. Actually I never guessed that it would actually look like the concept. I have a Prius (actually 2) and enjoy them. I am still looking forward to the Volt and will most likely buy one.
But. . .
I know there are other choices available.
For the price of 2 Volts, I could possibly buy a Karma Fisker (assuming that they will actually be produced). If my need for looks is worth the price, then that is what I would buy. (Al Gore, Mr. Environment, is signed up for one of these. He can afford to look more cool than many of us!)
For the price of 3 Volts, I could buy a Tesla Roadster! If I really need a sports car and don’t mind only going 200 miles, I could part with more money and get one of those.
Chevrolet has always been the base line of GM . . . and this car shows it. But they are also known for building a solid car that the average person can afford. This Volt will do that.
Maybe in the future, they will Build a Cadillac version which looks better!
So, even though it does not look like the concept, It will sell, It has it’s place in automotive history and will help us all get off foreign oil!
Go Volt
And Happiness to All!
September 10th, 2008 at 11:30 am
For some reason, that silverish color looked great on the concept, but looks absolutely horrible on the production. What a horrible color to leak to the public. Every color photoshopped here looks better than that off-silver.
Also, paint or get rid of the bottom gray molding, it just screams PLASTIC, though it doesn’t look bad on black and white and other neutral colors I would guess. It just doesn’t fit with any other color.
Suggestions for Volt design team:
Make the composite door things have a carbon fiber look. Do the same with the roof and rear hatch/trunk. That would look so much better than a plain shiny black.
September 10th, 2008 at 11:37 am
With the price projections of the Volt being around $40k I think the looks are a very important factor, especially when considering the competition that will be available when the Volt actually hits the road.
My personal enthusiam towards the Volt took a slight dip yesterday when these photos were released but I’m still very excited at the prospect of a car that can run without gasoline. I’m just hoping that GM will produce a Saturn variant in the same timeframe that will have some slight cosmetic improvements over the Chevy version.
September 10th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Some posters write that this is not a $40k car, and they’d go elsewhere if that’s what they have to pay. But of course, they are comparing to what exists today. The Volt is really a $25-30k car, with an additional $10-15k for a battery and paradigm shift.
Is it worth it? Every individual has to decide for themselves, and everyone is different, and vive la difference!
But, to be clear, here is what you get for the $10-15k premium, in order of importance, according to me:
-fuel savings (and as the premium goes down over time, and gasoline goes up, this WILL eventually be enough for financial payback!);
-reduced dependence on foreign oil (Never mind the financial impact. It should by now be clear to most everyone that this could become an issue of war, life and death, not just quality of life.);
-moving pollution to electrical generating stations where it is more easily controlled (no folks, unfortunately the Volt is not pollution free even from the first AER mile);
-more cachet than the Prius ever provided (if that’s what you are into);
-a nice looking, aerodynamic, practical car for an enlightened American family of 4, which is, appropriately, GM’s intention. (Oh c’mon, it does not look like a Prius or a Camry or a Malibu. But it certainly has elements of all three, and many other cars. It’s the nature of the beast.)
I’ve been following cars since the 60’s. I’ve never seen a production car that looked like its original concept. The concept is to attract attention and gaze into the future. Let it go.
Also, it’s OK to not like a style and design (as I said, vive la difference!), but some of the vitriolic postings of the past couple of days make me question the motivations, maturity, and intelligence of the writers.
September 10th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Whatever happened to having bikini models next to or on top of the car. Get a few pics of them and I bet the polls would shoot up!
September 10th, 2008 at 11:49 am
What?? the so called prius killer doesnt have a final body design??
KInda looks like the new malibu..which i am sure it is
September 10th, 2008 at 11:49 am
#93 Eco.
I disagree with you completely.
Style is important if you want to attract people to the showrooms.
The Prius is very well known in this country. The Volt is not.
66% of Americans won’t consider an American model car.
GM needs to change that. One good way is building a cool car that stands out in a crowd. The production Volt doesn’t do that.
If GM is looking to attract buyers, they didn’t really help their cause with the styling of the Volt. This is my 2¢.
Edit: I should point out that I do not want a muscle car. I want an EREV. I would just like one with better styling.
September 10th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Regarding my post, #115, I could not edit. I want